In less than two and a half decades—one generation—China has come to dominate global shipbuilding. The 2020s, and 2024 especially, have been banner years for Chinese shipyards. The country now commands around 60% of the worldwide mercantile tonnage orderbook, compared with just 10% in 2000.

Notwithstanding structural changes in the Chinese economy, evidence of a slowing in the growth momentum, and recent talk of the incoming US political administration imposing tariffs on Chinese-built vessels, China’s increasingly adept shipbuilding sector looks set to consolidate its centre-stage global position, abetted by government industrial strategy. Ever-improving product quality and contractual performance achieved at the competitive prices obtainable can only continue to draw in fleet investors.

Having shown its mettle across all types of merchant vessel, including specialised and more complex tonnage, the industry is now set on generating higher added-value from its collective endeavour, and creating a stronger business platform for the future, by expanding the home-grown technological and design content.