Zhong Guo Xin Wen Wang·2025-12-08 09:21Core Insights - The global shipbuilding industry is increasingly shifting towards China, with Chinese shipyards capturing 64.2% of new global ship orders as of mid-2023, maintaining the world's largest market share for 16 consecutive years [1] - The three major shipyards in Shanghai—Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, China State Shipbuilding Corporation Jiangnan Shipyard, and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding—are projected to deliver 69 ships and receive 128 new orders in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 19% and 70% respectively [1] - The focus on high-value ship types is evident, with over 95% of the orders held by these shipyards being high-value vessels [1] Industry Trends - The shift of the shipbuilding industry towards the East is attributed to a reordering of industrial competitiveness, with European shipbuilding facing challenges due to labor shortages and rising costs [1] - Chinese shipbuilding is leveraging breakthroughs in smart transformation, which have created key opportunities for capturing global market share [1][2] - Traditional shipyards are struggling with low production efficiency due to a lack of R&D capabilities and outdated operational models, prompting a transformation towards digitalization and AI integration [2] Technological Advancements - Several shipyards in the Yangtze River Delta are innovating by integrating industrial internet and AI into the shipbuilding process, enhancing efficiency and quality [2] - Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding utilizes AI for logistics management, while Jiangnan Shipyard employs machine vision and AI algorithms to detect welding defects, reducing manual labor by approximately 50% [2] - The introduction of AI in design and production is expected to significantly shorten project cycles, exemplified by the second large cruise ship project, which is anticipated to be completed over six months faster than the first [2] Market Dynamics - "Green" and "smart" are emerging as key factors influencing shipowners' order decisions, with Yangtze River Delta shipyards focusing on high-end categories such as large container ships and energy transport vessels [3] - By mid-2023, China had secured nearly 70% of global green ship orders, achieving full coverage of mainstream ship types [4] - Hudong-Zhonghua has developed a series of green ship design solutions and showcased advanced products at the recent maritime exhibition, including the world's largest LNG ship [4] - The shipbuilding quality from Chinese manufacturers is improving, enhancing their reputation in the global shipping industry [4]