Imabari Shipbuilding’s acquisition of a 49% stake in Minami­nippon Shipbuilding expands its fast-growing empire to the ­Japanese island of Kyushu for the first time.

Last week, MOL and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES) announced they have agreed to sell their stake in Minaminippon to Imabari, which says it will seek to acquire controlling shares in the company from the remaining shareholders.