China's shipbuilding: new orders up 173% to 121 mln dwt (deadweight tonnage), completed projects up 51%
China's shipbuilding: new orders up 173% to 121 mln dwt (deadweight tonnage), completed projects up 51%. The sea has always been not only a water element but also a path to prosperity. When a country builds ships faster and more efficiently than anyone else, it speaks of its industrial power and strategic vision. The record figures of Chinese shipbuilding are not just statistics but a reflection of global trust in quality and reliability, as well as the ability to adapt to new challenges, whether environmental requirements or complex logistics. China continues to prove that its shipyards are not only production facilities but also innovation hubs where the ships of the future are born.
According to data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Thursday, China's shipbuilding industry continued to lead the global market in the first half of 2026, achieving record highs in completed tonnage, new orders and order book volume. In the first half of this year, the completed tonnage – a key indicator of production capacity – reached 36.5 million deadweight tonnes, up 51.2% year‑on‑year. The order book, reflecting long‑term industry stability, stood at 363.25 million deadweight tonnes, up 54.9%. New orders, a measure of market competitiveness, surged to 121.06 million deadweight tonnes – a jump of 173.1%, already exceeding the previous annual peak. "The booming global market that began in the first quarter continued into the first half of the year. China's shipbuilding continues to deliver brilliant results: completed tonnage and order books both grew by more than 50 per cent. The sharp rise in new orders is particularly impressive – a remarkable achievement," said Li Yanqing, vice president of the China National Shipbuilding Industry Association.
An analysis of new orders shows that China's share of the international market for the three main ship types – bulk carriers, container ships and oil tankers – exceeded 80 per cent, reflecting the country's full‑scale shipbuilding capabilities across all vessel categories. Meanwhile, green and low‑carbon ships have become a key growth area in the transformation and upgrading of China's shipbuilding industry. "For three consecutive years, China has accounted for more than 68 per cent of global new orders for green ships. In the first half of this year, the country maintained this high share. The shift towards medium‑ and high‑end vessel production is gaining momentum, and China is undoubtedly the dominant player in this respect," Li said.
China's shipbuilding industry is one of the key sectors of heavy industry, playing a vital role in the country's economic development. The growth in new orders and the order book reflects strong demand from international shipowners for Chinese vessels, especially in the eco‑friendly segment. The shift to low‑carbon technologies has become a global trend, and China is successfully leveraging its competitive advantages. As CCTV+ reports. The industry is expected to continue accelerating in the second half of the year, reinforcing its leadership in the global shipbuilding market.
