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With an average production of 15 ships per day, China dominates the global shipping sector with export records, backlog of orders and unmatched industrial capacity
China is currently the largest shipbuilder in the world. In 2024, the country exported 5.804 vessels, according to data from the Global Times. This represents a growth of 25,1% compared to 2023. The value of these exports reached US$ 43,38 billion, further consolidating China's leadership in the naval sector.
The average production is impressive. With exported ships alone, the country manufactured around 15,8 vessels per day. And this number does not even include ships intended for internal use, such as military vessels or those aimed at the domestic market.
Global participation and order volume
China also stands out in the global participation of the shipping industry. In 2024, it was responsible for 55,7% of ship deliveries worldwide.
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In terms of new orders, China's share reached 74,1%, while backlogs accounted for 63,1% of the world total. This data shows that China dominates all stages: construction, sales and orders.
This dominance reflects not only the volume produced, but also the international market's confidence in the country's delivery capacity.
Unparalleled productive structure from China
O Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) says China has more than 300 shipyards spread across its coast.
Many of them operate under a dual-use system, producing both civilian and military vessels. This distributed infrastructure ensures flexibility and high production volumes.
Furthermore, the Alliance for American Manufacturing highlights a relevant fact: China's shipbuilding capacity is 232 times greater than that of the United States.
While Chinese shipyards have the capacity to produce around 23,25 million tons per year, North American shipyards do not exceed 100 thousand tons.
Military planning and future of the fleet
Growth is not limited to the commercial sector. The Chinese navy plans to expand its fleet from 234 to 475 ships by 2035. This goal depends directly on the strength of the domestic shipbuilding industry. The CSIS report “China's Shipbuilding Industry” shows how shipyards support this military ambition.
The installed capacity of the shipyards allows them to simultaneously meet global civil demand and the country's strategic needs.
Unprecedented speed and scale
Based on available data, China already produces more than 15 ships per day, considering only those exported. If vessels for domestic use are included, this number could be even higher.
The combination of production scale, number of shipyards and continuous investment puts China in an undisputed leadership position in global shipbuilding. And the numbers show that this dominance is likely to grow in the coming years.
