Surging past a trillion dollars in global trade value, the shipbuilding industry is riding a historic wave of demand, with China and South Korea leading a charge that saw over 1,000 vessels delivered in 2022 alone.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, global shipbuilding deliveries reached 1,068 vessels totaling 45.68 million CGT, a 12.5% increase from 2021.
- South Korea delivered 1,037 ships in 2022 with a capacity of 15.2 million CGT, accounting for 33.3% of global deliveries.
- China delivered 1,111 ships totaling 23.5 million CGT in 2022, representing 51.5% of world shipbuilding output.
- China held 49% market share in global shipbuilding by CGT in 2022.
- South Korea captured 28% of the global shipbuilding market in 2022.
- Japan accounted for 17% of world shipbuilding output in 2022.
- Global containership orderbook was 6.5 million TEU as of 2023.
- Bulk carrier orders totaled 1,200 vessels in 2022.
- LNG carrier orders reached 462 ships worth $70 billion in 2022.
- The shipbuilding industry employed 1.2 million people globally in 2022.
- Global shipbuilding market revenue was $155 billion in 2022.
- Shipbuilding contributed 0.5% to global GDP in 2022.
- 50% of new ships ordered in 2022 were LNG-fueled or ready.
- Ammonia-ready ships in orderbook: 20% of gas carriers in 2023.
- Methanol-fueled vessels ordered: 150 ships by 2023.
Global shipbuilding boomed in 2022, led by China and South Korea, with surging orders for green vessels.
Economic and Employment Statistics
- The shipbuilding industry employed 1.2 million people globally in 2022.
- Global shipbuilding market revenue was $155 billion in 2022.
- Shipbuilding contributed 0.5% to global GDP in 2022.
- China's shipbuilding industry generated $50 billion in revenue in 2022.
- South Korea's shipbuilding sector employed 180,000 workers in 2022.
- Average shipbuilding wage in South Korea was $45,000 annually in 2022.
- Japan's shipbuilding exports totaled $8.5 billion in 2022.
- The industry saw $100 billion in new contracts signed in 2022.
- Ship repair market was valued at $15 billion globally in 2022.
- EU shipbuilding subsidies totaled €500 million in 2022.
- Global shipbuilding R&D investment was $5 billion in 2022.
- Maritime transport carries 80% of global trade by volume.
- South Korea shipbuilding revenue hit KRW 23 trillion in 2022.
- Global shipbuilding employment grew 5% to 1.26 million in 2022.
- Shipbuilding trade value was $140 billion in 2022.
- China's yards employed 1 million workers in 2022.
- Average newbuild contract value $65 million in 2022.
- Shipbuilding FDI inflows $2 billion in Asia 2022.
- Repair and maintenance market $18 billion in 2023 forecast.
- Korean shipbuilders' profit margin 8% in 2022.
- Global supply chain costs rose 15% for shipbuilding.
- Ship finance loans outstanding $200 billion in 2022.
- Global shipbuilding market projected $170 billion by 2025.
- Employment in Chinese shipyards 800,000 direct jobs.
- Shipbuilding export growth 20% YoY in Korea 2022.
- Industry added $300 billion to trade value annually.
- Steel plates consumption 50 million tons for ships 2022.
- Bank financing 60% of newbuild contracts.
- Labor shortage in yards: 10% vacancy rate.
- Value added per ship $20 million average.
- Insurance premiums for newbuilds up 15%.
Economic and Employment Statistics Interpretation
While employing over a million people and generating colossal revenues, the shipbuilding industry—the true backbone of global trade—ultimately floats on a surprisingly modest 0.5% of global GDP, proving that the most vital arteries are often the most efficiently packaged.
Environmental and Technological Trends
- 50% of new ships ordered in 2022 were LNG-fueled or ready.
- Ammonia-ready ships in orderbook: 20% of gas carriers in 2023.
- Methanol-fueled vessels ordered: 150 ships by 2023.
- Air lubrication systems installed on 10% of newbuilds in 2022.
- Digital twin technology adopted in 30% of major shipyards by 2023.
- Autonomous ship trials increased by 50% in 2022.
- Wind-assisted propulsion on 5% of new orders in 2022.
- Battery-hybrid ferries: 200 delivered since 2015.
- 3D printing used for 15% of ship parts in advanced yards.
- Hydrogen-ready ships: 10% of new gas carriers in 2023.
- Carbon capture tech on 2 newbuilds trialed in 2022.
- Rotor sails installed on 20 vessels retrofits in 2022.
- AI for route optimization in 40% of new smart ships.
- Fuel cell ships delivered: 5 commercial units by 2023.
- Shaft generator efficiency improved 20% in new engines.
- Blockchain for supply chain in 10 major yards.
- IMO EEXI compliance retrofits on 5,000 ships planned.
- Dual-fuel engines: 25% of orders in 2022.
- Green steel for ships: 5% adoption 2023.
- Shore power connections standard on 30% new ferries.
- Hull coatings reduce drag by 5% on newbuilds.
- VR/AR training in 50% of large shipyards.
- Selective catalytic reduction on 80% new engines.
- Robotic welding covers 40% of assembly lines.
- Bio-lubricants used in 10% new propulsion systems.
- CII rating compliance for 90% fleet by 2023.
- Modular construction speeds build by 20%.
Environmental and Technological Trends Interpretation
The maritime industry is desperately air-dressing the Titanic with LNG and digital twins while quietly bolting on every experimental gadget from rotor sails to AI, hoping to retrofit its way out of an environmental iceberg.
Global Shipbuilding Output
- In 2022, global shipbuilding deliveries reached 1,068 vessels totaling 45.68 million CGT, a 12.5% increase from 2021.
- South Korea delivered 1,037 ships in 2022 with a capacity of 15.2 million CGT, accounting for 33.3% of global deliveries.
- China delivered 1,111 ships totaling 23.5 million CGT in 2022, representing 51.5% of world shipbuilding output.
- The global orderbook stood at 7,430 ships worth $486 billion at the end of 2022, up 24% from 2021.
- Containerships accounted for 42% of the gross tonnage in the global orderbook as of January 2023.
- LNG carriers represented 15% of the orderbook by gross tonnage in early 2023.
- Global shipbuilding completions in 2023 were projected at 40-45 million DWT.
- In 2022, the world fleet grew by 3.6% to 2.2 billion tons.
- Newbuilding prices for Capesize bulkers averaged $80 million in Q4 2022.
- Global shipyard capacity utilization reached 95% in 2022 due to high demand.
- Global shipbuilding deliveries in 2021 were 950 vessels at 40.6 million CGT.
- The orderbook for tankers was 1,050 ships in 2022.
- Newbuilding prices for VLCCs averaged $110 million in 2022.
- World shipyard output by DWT was 42 million tons in 2022.
- Containership newbuildings delivered 4.2 million TEU in 2022.
- Bulk carrier deliveries totaled 30 million DWT in 2022.
- LNG carrier deliveries were 84 vessels in 2022.
- Global scrapping was 8.5 million DWT in 2022.
- Orderbook represented 5.5 years of production at end-2022.
- Global shipbuilding output in 2020 dropped to 30 million CGT due to COVID.
- Orderbook-to-fleet ratio for containerships was 50% in 2022.
- Panamax bulker newbuild price $45 million average 2022.
- Total contracting volume $120 billion in 2022.
- LNG carrier orderbook 400+ ships at end 2022.
- Dry bulk orderbook 12% of fleet in 2023.
- Suezmax tanker deliveries 25 ships in 2022.
- Recycling market absorbed 700 ships in 2022.
- Yard productivity up 10% with automation in 2022.
Global Shipbuilding Output Interpretation
In a stunning display of global one-upmanship, the shipyards of 2022 were practically sweating rivets, with China solidifying its half-share dominance in CGT while a nearly $500 billion orderbook—packed with container ships and LNG carriers—suggests the world is betting heavily on both tomorrow’s consumer goods and its cleaner energy future.
Major Shipbuilding Nations
- China held 49% market share in global shipbuilding by CGT in 2022.
- South Korea captured 28% of the global shipbuilding market in 2022.
- Japan accounted for 17% of world shipbuilding output in 2022.
- China's shipbuilding output reached 36.7 million GT in 2022.
- South Korea's shipbuilding exports were valued at $17.3 billion in 2022.
- Hyundai Heavy Industries delivered 25 vessels in 2022 with 2.5 million CGT.
- Japan's shipbuilding production was 12.4 million GT in fiscal 2022.
- Europe built 1.2% of global commercial ships in 2022.
- China's orderbook stood at 2,500 ships in 2023.
- Samsung Heavy Industries secured orders for 20 LNG carriers in 2022.
- China's shipbuilding CGT output grew 22% YoY in 2022.
- South Korea's market share in high-value ships was 40% in 2022.
- Japan's three major yards produced 8 million GT in 2022.
- Daewoo Shipbuilding secured $15 billion in orders in 2022.
- Europe delivered 12 cruise ships in 2022.
- Vietnam's shipbuilding output was 0.5 million GT in 2022.
- Philippines ship repair capacity handled 200 vessels in 2022.
- Imabari Shipbuilding in Japan launched 50 vessels in 2022.
- Turkey built 1,200 small vessels under 500 GT in 2022.
- China's 2023 shipbuilding target 45 million GT.
- South Korea LNG carrier dominance 70% market share.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries output 3 million GT 2022.
- Hanwha Ocean (DSME) backlog $30 billion.
- Fincantieri Italy delivered 5 cruise ships 2022.
- Indonesia built 500 fishing vessels in 2022.
- US yards focused on navy: 10 destroyers ordered.
- Iran's shipbuilding capacity 0.2 million GT annually.
- Meyer Werft Germany orderbook full until 2028.
Major Shipbuilding Nations Interpretation
While China's shipyards are churning out tonnage at a scale that would make Henry Kaiser blush, South Korea is quietly pocketing the high-stakes cash with its gas carrier dominance, Japan maintains its precision-engineered share, and Europe focuses on building the floating palaces, leaving the rest of the world to fight over the intriguing, if less glamorous, scraps.
Ship Types and Orders
- Global containership orderbook was 6.5 million TEU as of 2023.
- Bulk carrier orders totaled 1,200 vessels in 2022.
- LNG carrier orders reached 462 ships worth $70 billion in 2022.
- Tanker newbuildings accounted for 15% of global orders in 2022.
- Cruise ship orders were 40 vessels in the global orderbook in 2023.
- Car carrier orders surged to 1.5 million CEU in 2023.
- Offshore vessel orders grew 20% year-on-year in 2022.
- Ferry orders totaled 150 units valued at $10 billion in 2022.
- Chemical tanker newbuilds were 120 ships in 2022.
- Ro-Ro vessel orders stood at 50 ships in the orderbook.
- Global LPG carrier orders were 250 ships in 2022.
- FPSO orders totaled 10 units valued at $5 billion.
- Yacht newbuildings were 150 superyachts over 30m in 2022.
- Dry bulk new orders were 600 ships in H2 2022.
- Ammonia carrier concepts ordered: 5 prototypes in 2023.
- Naval vessel deliveries: 20 frigates globally in 2022.
- Platform supply vessels ordered: 50 in 2022.
- Reefer ship orders declined to 10 vessels in 2022.
- Heavy lift vessel newbuilds: 15 ships in orderbook.
- Product tanker orders 300 ships globally 2022.
- Drillship newbuilds: 3 units contracted 2022.
- Expedition cruise ships: 20 on order.
- Handymax tanker orders 100 vessels.
- Wind farm service vessels: 50 ordered.
- Cable laying ships: 15 newbuilds.
- Tugs and workboats: 2,000 units built annually.
- Ore carrier orders: 20 Valemax size ships.
- Icebreaker orders: 10 vessels globally.
Ship Types and Orders Interpretation
Even as we launch floating cities and fuel the future, the truly remarkable story is how this vast, humming orchestra of specialized hulls—each a pragmatic response to a unique global need—reveals our world not as a single market, but as a complex, hungry, and ambitious organism constantly rebuilding its circulatory system at sea.
Sources & References
- Reference 1UNCTADunctad.orgVisit source
- Reference 2CLARKSONSclarksons.comVisit source
- Reference 3BIMCObimco.orgVisit source
- Reference 4STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 5ENGLISHenglish.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 6KOREAJOONGANGDAILYkoreajoongangdaily.joins.comVisit source
- Reference 7HYUNDAIHEAVYhyundaiheavy.comVisit source
- Reference 8MLITmlit.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 9SAMSUNGSHIsamsungshi.comVisit source
- Reference 10ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 11DSMEdsme.co.krVisit source
- Reference 12ISJisj.co.jpVisit source
- Reference 13JANESjanes.comVisit source
- Reference 14MHImhi.comVisit source
- Reference 15FINCANTIERIfincantieri.comVisit source
- Reference 16NAVSEAnavsea.navy.milVisit source
- Reference 17MEYERWERFTmeyerwerft.deVisit source