Shipbuilding: Is China’s dominance nearing its peak?
- With geopolitical pressure rising, China may need to shift toward greater openness, collaboration and intellectual property protection
- Alternative shipbuilding centres in Southeast Asia and India are slowly re-emerging and expected to gain importance later in the decade
- China holds 68% of all ships on order and is building the majority of bulkers, tankers, containerships and vehicle carrier newbuildings
Outside of Asia, Europe and the US are cautiously attempting to revive their shipbuilding industries, with European yards set to receive a new wave of cruiseship orders in 2026
