China is consolidating its position as a global leader in shipbuilding, with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co Ltd spearheading the country’s push into high-end maritime manufacturing.
The Shanghai-based shipyard currently holds the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier order book, with 57 vessels on order, representing 21.89% of the global market in terms of capacity. Total orders in hand surpassed 150 billion yuan ($21.76 billion) as of the end of 2025, underscoring its role as a key anchor in China’s industrial strategy during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).
Strong Performance and Growth Trajectory
In 2025, Hudong-Zhonghua posted:
- 20% year-on-year revenue growth
- 380% surge in operating profit
- Delivery of 11 LNG ships, completing construction of 13 vessels
Despite this momentum, the company aims to further expand capacity and focus on high-end shipbuilding, including ultra-large container vessels and LNG carriers.
“While China has led global shipbuilding in terms of tonnage for over 15 years, high-end segments such as cruise ships and advanced LNG carriers are still dominated by South Korea and Western Europe,” said Chen Jianliang, chairman of Hudong-Zhonghua.
China’s Shipbuilding Edge
According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Chinese shipyards in 2025:
- Completed 56.1% of global orders
- Received 69% of new orders
- Accounted for 66.8% of vessels in hand globally
Li Yanqing, secretary-general of the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, told China Central Television that Chinese shipbuilders are integrating into the global industrial value chain, promoting a green and intelligent industrial pattern.
High-End LNG Carrier Development
Developing LNG carriers is technically demanding. Hudong-Zhonghua delivered its first LNG vessel in 2008, four years after receiving its first six orders. Construction efficiency has dramatically improved:
- Initial LNG ship construction: 38 months
- Current construction period: minimum 16 months
Each LNG carrier can transport 174,000 cubic meters of liquefied natural gas, equivalent to about 105 million cubic meters of gas after regasification, enough to supply a city of 3–4 million people for a month.
Strategic Significance
Hudong-Zhonghua’s success demonstrates China’s move toward high-quality industrial development, combining:
- R&D in ultra-large container ships and LNG carriers
- Integration into global shipping markets
- Efficiency gains and technological innovation
“It has taken decades to reach this position, but today Chinese shipbuilders hold 80% of the global market by LNG order volume,” Chen said.