From January to July, China exported 3,470 ships, marking a 28.3 percent increase compared to the previous year, with a total value of 173.7 billion yuan ($24.6 billion), an impressive rise of 84.4 percent.
The shipbuilding industry experienced significant growth in the first half of the year, with output up 18.4 percent, new orders increasing by 43.9 percent, and the order backlog rising by 38.6 percent year on year.
As of 2023, China has maintained its top position in these three key metrics for 14 consecutive years. During a recent briefing, China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), one of the largest shipbuilders globally, announced that its order books are full through 2027 and into 2028.
The shipbuilding sector is entering a new growth phase driven by rising market demand, leading to consistently high order volumes for Chinese shipbuilders. Recent achievements highlight China’s capabilities: on August 8, the world’s largest ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) ship was delivered in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, and on September 9, the "Xin Ming Zhu 39," constructed with domestically developed carbon fiber material, was launched in Guangzhou, showcasing advancements in technology.
Orders are increasingly focusing on high-tech and high-value ship types, such as ro-ro, container, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels. In the first half of the year, Chinese shipyards secured 71.7 percent of global green fuel vessel orders.
CSSC reported that over 50 percent of its new ship orders are for vessels powered by green fuels, with more than 70 percent categorized as mid-to-high-end vessels. CSSC’s three shipyards delivered 38 vessels and booked 65 new orders, with over 90 percent in the mid-to-high-end segment.
On September 9, CSSC subsidiary Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding received an order for six Q-Max ultra-large LNG carriers from QatarEnergy, further establishing its global leadership in LNG capacity.
Wang Junli, secretary-general of the Chinese Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, emphasized that improved technological expertise and faster delivery times enhance competitiveness.
He noted that China's ship design and research capabilities now encompass all major global vessel types, supported by an independent and well-developed supply chain, which continues to boost shipbuilding efficiency.
