China smashes ship-order record in first half

AI Summary

Chinese shipyards set a new record in the first half of 2026 by securing more new shipbuilding contracts than any previous full year. The new orders totaled 121.06 million deadweight tons, representing over 82% of the global ship order market.

Chinese shipyards booked more new tonnage in the first half of 2026 than during any previous full year, tightening their grip on the global order market. New contracts totalled 121.06m dwt between January and June, up 173.1% year on year and equal to 82.3% of global ordering on a deadweight basis, according to China’s Ministry …