Group 1 - As of 2025, China holds a dominant position in the global shipbuilding industry with a 53% share of global orders, while the U.S. accounts for only 0.5% [1][3] - China's shipbuilding industry is rapidly advancing in high-tech vessel categories, including liquefied natural gas carriers and ultra-large container ships, supported by a complete domestic supply chain [3][5] - The average delivery time for a large cargo ship in China is 20 months, compared to 30 months or more in the U.S., highlighting China's efficiency in production [5] Group 2 - China's advantages in shipbuilding costs stem from lower prices for steel, labor, and financing, with steel prices significantly lower than those in Japan and South Korea [5][9] - The U.S. shipbuilding industry faces challenges due to a shortage of skilled labor, with average annual salaries for welders reaching $75,000, limiting production capacity [7][9] - The U.S. shipbuilding sector is primarily focused on military vessels, which has resulted in a lack of competitiveness in the commercial ship market, with only 0.5% of global orders for civilian vessels [9][11] Group 3 - The Jones Act in the U.S. mandates that all vessels engaged in domestic trade must be built in U.S. shipyards, which protects domestic demand but reduces global competitiveness [9][11] - The U.S. shipbuilding supply chain is heavily reliant on imports for high-precision equipment and steel, increasing costs and delivery times [9][11] - Efforts by the Trump administration to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry through international partnerships and investments have not addressed the fundamental issues of high costs and inefficiencies [11]