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Over the past year, China has continued to dominate shipbuilding.

Marine Tech

The leading shipyard in the European market is Fincantieri, followed by Meyer and Chantiers de l’Atlantique these are the only three in the top 30 globally

In 2025, China once again dominate the global shipbuilding order rankings, according to the latest data from Clarksons compiled by eWorldShip. According to the latest data from the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI), China's shipbuilding sector has continued to dominate the global market across key metrics in the first half of 2025:· Shipbuilding output reached 24.13 million DWT, down 3.5% year-on-year · New orders stood at 44.33 million DWT, down 18.2% · Orderbook at the end of June rose to 234.54 million DWT, up 36.7%

Owners worldwide placed orders for about 2,500 ships.

It is noteworthy that last year, owners worldwide placed orders for about 2,500 ships. Out of these, more than 1,500 - over 60 percent - went to yards in China. Measured in tonnage, China's share of the new order volume was slightly higher at about 62 percent. (The China Ministry of Industry and Information puts it even higher, at 69 percent, along with 56 percent of all completed deliveries for the year.)

Chinese shipyards

Chinese shipyards have structural advantages over their peers elsewhere: strong state support in the form of preferential interest rates and shareholding; heavily subsidized and abundant domestic steel supplies; and a skilled labor pool, not yet strained by demographic decline and changing occupational preferences, as seen in Korea, Japan, and the West as a whole.

Of all orders nearly two-thirds went to Chinese shipbuilders.

Of all orders placed at global shipyards, nearly two-thirds went to Chinese shipbuilders. Last year, global shipowners ordered approximately 2,500 vessels. Of these, more than 1,500, or over 60%, were destined for Chinese shipyards. In terms of tonnage, China's share of new order volume was slightly higher, at around 62% (the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology estimates this even higher, at 69%, along with 56% of all completed deliveries for the year).

South Korea, ranked second in new orders,

South Korea, ranked second in new orders, secured contracts for 260 vessels, representing just over 10% of the global total. Japan, steady in third place, received 230 orders and a global share of approximately 9% By shipbuilding conglomerate, CSSC ranked first, as usual; half of the remaining companies in the top 10 are located in China. The others include Cosco, China Merchants, Hengli Heavy Industry, and New Times Shipbuilding.

Defense shipbuilding, CSSC has largely dominated global rankings

Meanwhile In defense shipbuilding, CSSC has also largely dominated global rankings, supported by its industrial infrastructure and skilled workforce built up through its commercial order book. Its shipyards have received orders for a catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, a large amphibious vessel, at least seven destroyers, and six frigates by 2025, in addition to further submarine deliveries

Shipyards in the European market

On the other hand the leading shipyard in the European market is Fincantieri, followed by Meyer and Chantiers de l’Atlantique. These are the only three in the top 30 globally; Fincantieri is among the top 10 in terms of order book value, a testament to the extremely high added value of its portfolio.