- Container ship orders surged by 238.1% in Q1 2025, driven by fuel transition and mega-ship demand.
- Chinese shipyards dominate global orders, securing 70% of the market share by volume.
- Major players like MSC, COSCO, and Hapag-Lloyd are expanding fleets to gain capacity dominance in a competitive market.
While most vessel segments are witnessing a sharp decline in newbuilding activity, the container shipping sector is seeing a remarkable resurgence. As of April 2025, more than 100 new container ships have been ordered worldwide, signaling a strong return of investor confidence and strategic commitment in this segment, according to Xinde Marine News.
Major Orders from Industry Leaders
COSCO Shipping Holdings has taken a bold step by investing $3.08 billion in 14 methanol dual-fuel container ships, each with a capacity of 18,500 TEU. These vessels will be built at the company’s affiliated yards in Nantong and Dalian, showcasing China’s growing prominence in high-specification ship construction. Similarly, Seaspan has placed an order for six 11,000 TEU eco-friendly vessels at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, with payments made in RMB — a notable gesture amidst the ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.
The world’s largest carrier, MSC, continues its expansion strategy with six massive 22,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels ordered from Hengli Heavy Industry. Other operators such as Chartworld, Yang Ming, RCL, SITC, and Ningbo Ocean Shipping are also increasing their capacity with a range of vessels from small feeders to large post-panamax ships, mainly at Chinese yards.
Global Spread of Shipbuilding Activity
In addition to China’s dominance, Korean shipbuilders such as HD Hyundai and Hanwha Ocean are receiving orders for advanced dual-fuel vessels from Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, and other European carriers. These deals emphasize the shift towards alternative fuel technologies and the increasing need for energy-efficient operations.
Growth Drivers Behind the Surge
According to Clarkson Research, container ship orders in the first quarter of 2025 have surged by 238.1% compared to the previous year. This is a striking contrast to the overall global newbuilding market, which has contracted by 58.5%. A major driver of this trend is the fuel transition — over 70% of the new boxship orders are equipped for alternative fuels, with 48% opting for LNG and 23% for methanol propulsion. This aligns closely with the shipping industry’s decarbonization goals and future regulatory compliance.
Another key factor is the economies of scale. More than half of the orders placed for 2024 and 2025 are for vessels exceeding 10,000 TEU, highlighting the drive to reduce unit transport costs and improve operational efficiency. In parallel, large players like MSC, COSCO, and Hapag-Lloyd are accelerating their fleet expansion to secure market dominance, pushing smaller competitors to the margins.
China’s Commanding Lead in Container Shipbuilding
China continues to strengthen its grip on the container shipbuilding market. In 2024, Chinese shipyards captured over 70% of global container ship orders by volume, equivalent to 2.62 million TEU. This performance significantly outpaces South Korea’s 21% and Japan’s 8% market shares. Among the top 10 container shipyards globally, seven are based in China, reinforcing the country’s leading position in this sector.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Xinde Marine
