China consolidates shipbuilding supremacy as global fleet renewal gathers pace
- China has solidified its dominance in global shipbuilding and has captured the majority of newbuilding orders since the beginning of the year
- While competitors in South Korea and Japan struggle with labour shortages and limits on capacity, Chinese yards have expanded production by reactivating idle facilities and effectively scaling up existing operations
- Renewed activity in the crude oil tanker sector since late-2025 has further boosted China’s position
China’s main rivals are adapting by expanding overseas partnerships while India is re-entering the market with ambitions to grow. However, geopolitical pressures and diversification efforts have failed to dent China’s lead
