- China now accounts for over 70% of global shipbuilding orders, backed by strong state support and industrial scale
- The country leads both commercial and naval ship construction, with faster build and replacement cycles
- Integrated supply chains, technology investment and workforce depth continue to widen the gap with rivals
China has emerged as the dominant force in global shipbuilding, holding 71% of worldwide shipbuilding orders in 2024. Its ability to build and replace vessels quickly stands out, with frigates completed roughly every 25 months and destroyers every 2.5 years. This pace allows China to maintain and expand its naval fleet more efficiently than any other country.
Alongside military production, China also owns the world’s largest oceangoing commercial fleet, including vessels registered under third-country flags, reinforcing its presence across global trade routes.
State backing and an integrated industrial ecosystem
China’s shipbuilding growth has been strongly supported by government policy. Measures such as subsidies for shipyards, low-interest financing, modern yard infrastructure, and secure domestic supply chains have helped maintain high output levels. Investment in technical schools and engineering institutes has ensured a steady flow of skilled labour, reducing production disruptions and retraining costs.
Major shipbuilders operate under state guidance, aligning commercial output with national objectives while accelerating technological development through automation, digitisation, and smart manufacturing.
Expanding influence across global ports and logistics
Beyond ship construction, Chinese firms control or operate more than 110 commercial ports across 67 countries, extending Beijing’s influence over global maritime trade. The country also plays a leading role in port equipment manufacturing, supplying a large share of the world’s cargo-handling cranes and logistics systems.
This vertically integrated approach — from shipbuilding to ports, equipment, and digital logistics platforms — strengthens China’s control over critical parts of the maritime value chain.
Dual-use strategy strengthens naval and commercial output
China’s shipbuilding sector benefits from a military-civil fusion approach, where naval and commercial vessels are built in parallel. Shared facilities, technology, and skilled labour reduce costs and speed up production timelines. Concentrating on a limited number of ship classes has further shortened learning curves and improved efficiency across multiple shipyards.
With continued policy support and large-scale industrial coordination, China’s shipbuilding dominance looks set to remain a defining feature of the global maritime landscape.
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Source – The Sunday Guardian
