CHINESE shipyards will construct more than two thirds of all bulk carrier and tanker newbuildings currently on order worldwide, while China-based shipowners are increasing their share of both vessel sectors.

According to Xclusiv Shipbrokers, of the 1,375 bulk carriers on order globally some 68% will be constructed in China. This dominance extends to the tanker sector where 827 of the 1,203 newbuildings on order, or 69%, have been contracted in China.

“Chinese shipyards remain firmly at the centre of the global newbuilding landscape, capturing the lion’s share of both bulker and tanker contracts,” noted Xclusiv Shipbrokers.

“This dominance reflects not only China’s unmatched shipyard capacity and price competitiveness, but also the nation’s strategic focus on maintaining control over its maritime supply chains,” it added.

China’s growing influence as both the world’s leading shipbuilder and a major shipowning nation signals a deliberate effort to integrate its industrial strength with control over strategic logistics and energy flows.

Formerly mothballed private Chinese shipyards have roared back into action, including Hengli Heavy Industries — the former STX Dalian yard, emerging as a key driver in expanding the country's shipbuilding capacity.

Hengli HI has made a remarkable comeback, securing an impressive string of orders in recent weeks. In October alone, the yard booked 20 kamsarmax bulk carriers from a range of foreign shipowners, marking one of the largest monthly order intakes for a single Chinese builder this year.

Adding to its momentum, Hengli HI was confirmed last week to have won contracts for four VLCCs from George Economou’s TMS Tankers.

These follow orders for the same ship type signed in October by John Fredriksen and George Prokopiou’s Dynacom, underscoring the yard’s growing reputation among big international tanker owners.

The trend is attributed to China’s cost competitiveness, rapid technological advancement in ship design and strong government support for the maritime industry.

Meanwhile, Chinese shipowners have become more active in the ordering of bulk carriers in recent years, accounting for 377 bulkers currently on order. The majority are concentrated in the ultramax and kamsarmax segments, with 110 vessels and 130 ships on order respectively.

Local shipowners have 18 very large ore carriers and 29 newcastlemax bulk carriers on order, demonstrating investment in renewing the country’s long-haul iron ore and coal carrying fleet, particularly for trade routes from Australia and Brazil.

Xclusiv Shipbrokers noted that Japanese shipowners — long associated with conservative, quality-driven ordering — are showing a growing interest in China’s shipbuilding capabilities. They currently have 96 bulkers on order at Chinese shipyards, comprising 35 ultramaxes, 35 kamsarmaxes, 16 handysize and 10 newcastlemax bulkers.

This pattern mirrors Japan’s traditional strength in geared mid-sized bulkers while also signalling a steady pivot to Chinese ship construction.

With Japan’s shipyards operating near capacity and with higher costs, more Japanese shipowners appear to be seeking the delivery flexibility and competitive pricing China offers.

China’s dominance extends to the tanker sector. Of the 827 tanker orders placed in Chinese yards, domestic owners account for 200 units, with activity spanning all major classes.

The core lies in smaller vessels reflecting the surge in regional product trades and China’s expanding network of independent refineries.

Japanese owners, meanwhile, have placed orders for 13 tankers in China, including five VLCCs.

Chinese shipbuilders have also captured the majority of global containership orders this year, as a surge in fleet renewal from major lines drives demand for new, more efficient vessels.

According to data from Alphaliner, China now accounts for some 74% of total boxship capacity on order, representing nearly 7.4m teu.

The boom in orders has intensified since the second quarter of 2025, as carriers move to modernise fleets amid shifting trade dynamics, tightening emissions regulations, and the need for greater fuel efficiency.

The surge has further cemented China’s dominance in containership construction, outpacing rivals in South Korea and Japan.

South Korean shipyards, long the leaders in high-end containership construction, continue to secure orders for large dual-fuel boxships, but their market share has plummeted as Chinese yards expand capacity and their capabilities.