China's top 10 shipyards, ranked by orderbook and total contract value

China’s shipbuilding industry continues to dominate the global orderbook, and the past year has seen its top yards cement their grip on global contracting. The top 10 Chinese yards have collectively attracted significant newbuilding investment across a broad range of vessel types, from VLCCs and LNG carriers to container ships and bulkers.

Below, we profile the leading yards by order volume, highlighting the deals, vessel preferences, and values that define each yard’s position in today’s market.

Over the last year, Hengli Shipbuilding has topped the list significantly ahead of the competition with 174 orders received, valued at US$16Bn. Impressively, Hengli Shipbuilding is a relatively new yard, established in the early 2020s, having taken over the former STX Dalian shipyard on Changxing Island, Dalian.

VLCCs are the vessel of choice at this yard, representing 31% of en bloc orders. Most recently, Capital Maritime and Trading ordered 11x 306,0000-dwt VLCCs scheduled to be delivered in 2028 and 2029 and contracted for US$120M each, VV value US$122M each.

LR2 tankers are the second-most popular vessel ordered at 15% and in third place, post-Panamax container ships with a share of 12%.

Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding are second in the list of top Chinese yards, having received 77 new orders since February 2025, valued at US$6.9Bn.

The orders at this yard have focused heavily on the Capesize sector, comprising 31 of the 49 Newcastlemaxes (210,000 dwt) ordered by COSCO Shipping Bulk. These vessels are set to be delivered between 2027 and 2031.

In addition, Qingdao Beihai is constructing 10 ore carriers of 325,000 dwt, contracted by Shandong Shipping Corp and slated for delivery between 2027 and 2029. These vessels are contracted for US$130M each, VV value US$134M each. These vessels are being built with dual-fuel methanol specifications and have been entered into long-term time charter agreements with Brazilian iron ore major, Vale. 

Wuhu Xinlian Shipbuilding are in third place with 66 vessels ordered over the last year, valued at US$2.8Bn. The most popular vessels at this yard were in the Ultramax and small Handy bulker sub-sectors accounting for 31% and 15% respectively. Notable deals include 10 x Ultramax bulkers ordered by Huaxing Shipping for delivery between 2027 and 2029, contracted for US$30M each en bloc, VV value US$26M each.

Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding ranks fourth with 64 newbuilding contracts received, but ranking further down the list in value terms with US$2.6Bn.

The majority of orders at this yard are in the Panamax bulker (46%) and Handy container (37%) sectors. This orderbook includes 30 x Panamax bulkers ordered by Cosco Bulk Carrier in June 2025, scheduled for 2026-2029 delivery and contracted for US$50M each en bloc, VV value US$50M each. Eighteen 1,800-TEU Handy container ships were ordered in August 2025 by Eastern Pacific Shipping; the vessels are set to be delivered between 2027 and 2029 and contracted for US$33M each en bloc, VV value US$31M each.

New Times Shipbuilding are in fifth place with 50 vessels ordered and valued at US$6.0Bn. A notable mention also goes to Hudong Zhonghua, who rank fourth in terms of value with a total investment of US$6.0Bn for 37 vessels ordered last year. This is due to the large number of high-ticket vessel types on order where large LNG vessels account for the largest proportion of orders at 35%, followed by VLCCs at 30%.

China’s top yards are clearly firing on all cylinders, with orderbooks stretching well into the decade and contract values reflecting sustained demand across multiple vessel segments. Hengli’s meteoric rise, Hudong Zhonghua’s high-value portfolio, and the sheer breadth of activity across the remaining yards paint a picture of an industry operating at full capacity and showing little sign of slowing down.

*Editor’s note: this article first appeared on Veson Nautical’s website