Which country builds the most cargo ships?

China Dominates Global Cargo Ship Construction

China has emerged as the undisputed leader in the global cargo ship construction industry, accounting for more than half of all new builds in 2023. This dominance is largely attributed to the country’s advanced shipbuilding infrastructure, a highly skilled workforce, and significant government support.

In 2023, China’s shipyards produced a remarkable 150 of the world’s largest container vessels, a testament to their technical expertise and production capacity. These vessels are vital to the global supply chain, facilitating the transportation of goods and commodities across continents.

China’s dominance in cargo ship construction is not only limited to container vessels. The country also leads in the construction of other types of cargo ships, including oil tankers, bulk carriers, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

Asia as a whole plays a significant role in the global cargo ship construction industry. South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam are among the top shipbuilding nations, contributing to a substantial portion of global production.

The growth of the cargo ship construction industry in Asia can be attributed to several factors, including:

• Strong global demand: The increasing volume of international trade has fueled the demand for cargo ships.
• Cost competitiveness: Asian shipyards offer competitive production costs due to lower labor and material costs.
• Government support: Governments in Asia, particularly China, provide subsidies and other incentives to support the shipbuilding industry.

The dominance of China and Asia in cargo ship construction is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by the growing global demand for shipping capacity and the cost competitiveness of Asian shipyards.