The Battle for Shipbuilding Supremacy: China vs the World

China has cemented its position as the world’s top shipbuilding nation as it secured orders for 3,454 out of a total of 5,735 vessels in the current global orderbook.

This represents an orderbook share of 62.42% or a total of 175.4 million gross tons, according to information provided by Greek shipbroking services provider Intermodal.

As disclosed, China, Japan, and South Korea dominate with combined orders of over 90% of the world’s orderbook. South Korea ranks second with an orderbook share of 21.39% or 687 ships, while Japan is placed third with a share of 8.83% or 651 units.

The Asian nations’ dominance in shipbuilding is supported by the rise in clean fuel-powered ships. The world’s dual-fuel fleet surged to 2,119 vessels, driven by a tightening regulatory landscape and solid financing opportunities.

Moving to the US shipbuilding, the orderbook is a small fraction of the total, counting 52 units of about 245,000 gross tons primarily consisting of tugboats and passenger/cruise vessels, Intermodal shared.

“However, the U.S. has significant potential for expansion, bolstered by robust investment capabilities, international partnerships (such as with CMA CGM), military shipbuilding expertise, and cutting-edge technologies, combined with the government commitment to grow the national shipbuilding industry. The developments in the shipbuilding market are set to attract significant attention in the coming years,” Nikos Tagoulis, Senior Analyst at Intermodal, believes.

“While China, South Korea, and Japan remain dominant forces, the USA, Vietnam, and India are positioning themselves as emerging players, poised to challenge the status quo and strengthen their market presence.”

US trying to exert pressure on China’s shipbuilding with new tariffs

To remind, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) concluded in January that China’s ‘targeted dominance’ in maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors is ‘unreasonable’ and ‘burdens or restricts U.S. commerce’.

Ambassador Katherine Tai, the principal trade advisor, noted that China is building more than 1,700 ships per year, while the US constructs less than five vessels annually.

In late February 2025, USTR proposed a measure to charge a fee of up to $1.5 million for Chinese-built vessels entering US ports to curb China’s dominance in maritime. This measure aims to promote the transport of US goods on domestic vessels.

Last week, US President Donald Trump proposed a ‘sweeping’ plan to revive US shipbuilding, pledging efforts to strengthen military and commercial vessel production. He unveiled the establishment of a new Office of Shipbuilding in the White House and introduced special tax incentives for shipyards.

Following Trump’s announcement, French shipping giant CMA CGM revealed its intention to invest $20 billion over the next four years to strengthen the U.S. maritime transport and logistics, boosting the maritime economy and fostering shipbuilding capabilities.

Can US tariffs hurt China’s shipbuilding industry?

China’s foreign ministry held a press conference on March 7, 2025, stating that the new US plan could negatively affect global supply and industrial chains without necessarily revitalizing the US shipbuilding industry.

Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, stressed that China will take countermeasures against the United States if the latter continues with its pressure. He highlighted the need for the US to review the outcomes of the tariffs and trade war over the years.

“China-US economic and trade relations are mutual and equal. If you choose to cooperate, you will achieve mutual benefit and win-win results; if you blindly exert pressure, China will resolutely counterattack,” Wang Yi concluded.