China's shipbuilding industry reported double-digit increases in both output and new orders in the first five months of the year.

State media reported that the country's shipbuilding output — continued to lead globally — reaching 16.47 million deadweight tonnes (dwt) in the period, up 15.4% year on year, citing data from the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry.

Xinhua said new orders in China's shipbuilding sector surged 49.5% from a year earlier to a total of 26.45 million dwt.

The output accounts for 48.1% of the global total, and new orders take up a 67.3% share.

"Businesses improved for firms in the industry as 74 companies monitored by the association raked in 137.64 billion yuan (about US$19 billion) in revenue during the period, up 31.3% year on year," the report added.