China's shipbuilding industry maintained leading position in global market in the first half of 2025 despite the impact of the US Trade Representative (USTR) 301 investigations.

According to statistics released by the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (Cansi), China's shipbuilding output was 24.13 million dwt from January to June 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 3.5%; while newly-received orders amounted to 44.33 million dwt, a drop of 18.2%.

Newbuildings orders were impacted by the USTR investigations and fees at US ports Chinese-built vessels from October this year. However, many international owners have continued to place orders at Chinese yards despite the potential to be hit with higher fees at US ports. According to Veson Nautical 133 out of 195 container ship newbuildings ordered in the first half of the year were contracted at Chinese yards.

As the end of June, the order-on-hand stood at 234.54 million dwt, marking a 36.7% increase compared to the same period last year.

In the first half, China's shipbuilding output, new orders received, and orders on hand accounted for 51.7%, 68.3%, and 64.9% of the global market share, retaining the country’s leading position in the global shipbuilding industry.

Exported ships of China accounted for 89.6%, 89.5%, and 93.2% of the country's total shipbuilding output, new orders received, and orders-on-hand, respectively.