# China strengthens global shipbuilding dominance as new orders surge

- **Source:** https://pelavox.com/china-strengthens-global-shipbuilding-dominance-as-new-orders-surge/
- **Publisher:** pelavox. (The voice of shipping)
- **Author:** Helena Pierce
- **Published:** 2026-10-26T18:00:00+00:00
- **Updated:** 2026-10-25T12:35:41+00:00
- **Section:** General
- **Type:** News
- **Topics:** China, Chinese Shipyards, Global Shipbuilding, Maritime Industry, MIIT, Newbuilding Orders, Shipbuilding, Shipbuilding Orderbook, Vessel Construction, Vessel Deliveries

China’s shipbuilding industry recorded substantial growth during the first nine months of 2026, strengthening its position in the global market as new vessel orders, shipbuilding completions and outstanding orderbook volumes increased significantly.

According to figures released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Chinese shipyards secured new orders totalling 175.29 million deadweight tonnes (DWT) between January and September, representing a year-on-year increase of 163.2%.

The country accounted for 81.8% of global new shipbuilding orders during the period, measured by deadweight tonnage. The figures underline the scale of newbuilding activity contracted at Chinese shipyards compared with the wider international market.

Shipbuilding completions also increased sharply, reaching 58.05 million DWT during the nine-month period, up 50.7% from the corresponding period of 2025. China represented 63.6% of global shipbuilding completions on the same measurement basis.

## Chinese shipyards expand outstanding orderbook

China’s outstanding shipbuilding orderbook reached 399.13 million DWT at the end of September 2026, an increase of 64.8% compared with the same point a year earlier.

The country held 72.4% of the global shipbuilding orderbook by deadweight tonnage, reflecting the substantial volume of vessels contracted for future construction at Chinese facilities.

The figures highlight three distinct developments within the industry. New orders represent contracts secured during the reporting period, completions reflect shipbuilding work finished during the first nine months, and the outstanding orderbook measures contracted vessels remaining to be built at the reporting date.

China’s share was highest in new orders, followed by its outstanding orderbook and completed shipbuilding output. All three measures indicate the country’s prominent position across different stages of the global vessel construction market.

## New orders outpace growth in vessel completions

The increase in new orders was considerably stronger than the growth recorded in completed shipbuilding output during the first nine months of 2026.

While new contracts rose by 163.2% year-on-year, completions increased by 50.7%, according to the ministry’s figures. The outstanding orderbook also expanded substantially, reflecting the volume of contracted work remaining at Chinese shipyards.

The statistics cover China’s shipbuilding industry as a whole rather than a single commercial vessel segment. They should therefore not be interpreted as specific market shares for containerships, tankers, bulk carriers or gas carriers.

Similarly, the figures are expressed in deadweight tonnes rather than compensated gross tonnage (CGT) or vessel numbers. They describe the market in terms of carrying-capacity measurements and do not directly measure the relative complexity or construction workload associated with different vessel types.

The latest MIIT figures provide a broad picture of Chinese shipbuilding activity through September 2026, showing significant increases in contracted capacity, completed output and the remaining orderbook.

With China accounting for the majority of global activity across all three measures, the country’s shipbuilding industry maintained a substantial position in the international newbuilding market during the reporting period.

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Cite as: "China strengthens global shipbuilding dominance as new orders surge", pelavox., 26 October 2026, https://pelavox.com/china-strengthens-global-shipbuilding-dominance-as-new-orders-surge/