[photopress:Dalian_Shipbuilding.jpg,full,alignright]Last year China maintained its position as the world’s third-biggest shipbuilder, a rank it has held for 12 consecutive years. Ship export volume surged 74% to $8.11 billion.
Two leading domestic shipbuilders, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding became world top-10 shipbuilders, joining a list that was before the sole domain of Japanese and South Korean companies.
Nie Lijuan, managing deputy secretary-general of China Association of National Shipbuilding Industry, said, ‘China’s position as the world’s third-largest shipbuilder is totally different from that 10 years ago. The country has significantly improved its shipbuilding competitiveness.’
Chinese shipbuilders produced 14.52 million deadweight tons last year, nearly 20% of the world’s total, compared to only 6% in 2000. Types of made-in-China ships have developed from conventional bulk carriers and crude oil tankers into high value and sophisticated vessels, such as very large crude carriers (VLCCs), liquefied natural gas carriers and high-speed container ships.
Source: China Daily