China maintained its position as the world's largest shipbuilding nation in 2025, delivering more than half of global output and securing the majority of new orders across the sector, according to newly released industry data by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Official figures show Chinese shipyards completed 53.69 million deadweight tonnes (DWT) of new tonnage, up 11.4% year-on-year or about 56% of global production, while capturing 69% of worldwide new‑build orders and holding nearly 67% of the global orderbook.
New orders reached 107.82 million DWT last year, representing a 69% share of the global market.
As of the end of December 2025, the sector's holding orders stood at 274.42 million DWT, up 31.5% from the previous year. This volume accounted for 66.8% of the global market share.
China's dominance was reinforced by strong demand for container vessels, LNG carriers, and other energy‑efficient ship types, as owners continued to renew fleets ahead of tightening decarbonisation rules.
The country's major yards, including those under China State Shipbuilding Corp. (CSSC), benefited from steady order inflows from both domestic and international carriers, extending China's lead over South Korea and Japan for the 16th consecutive year.
South Korean builders remained competitive in high‑value segments such as LNG carriers, but China's broader capacity and ability to deliver large volumes of standardised tonnage helped it maintain a commanding share of the global market. Japan, meanwhile, continued to focus on specialised vessels and dual‑fuel technologies but remained a distant third in overall output.
Li Yanqing, vice president of the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, noted that China's shipbuilding sector exceeded expectations in 2025 and is positioned for steady growth in the years ahead.
"In 2025, China's shipbuilding industry delivered remarkable results, with all three key performance indicators surpassing expectations."
"The market is projected to maintain relatively stable growth going forward. Therefore, it is essential for China's shipbuilding sector to continue capitalising on market opportunities, securing orders proactively, and guaranteeing on-time vessel deliveries."
Analysts note that China's shipbuilding strength is supported by extensive industrial supply chains, government‑backed investment in green technologies, and the ability of its yards to scale production quickly.
With global shipping lines preparing for stricter emissions requirements under the IMO's 2030 and 2050 targets, Chinese builders are expected to remain central players in the transition toward more energy‑efficient fleets.
Industry forecasts suggest that China's orderbook will keep its yards busy well into the next decade, with demand for methanol‑ready, ammonia‑ready, and LNG‑powered vessels continuing to rise.
