China now dominates shipbuilding. A U.S. think-tank report notes that over the past two decades China's share of world commercial shipbuilding rose from 5% to over 50%, while the U.S. share fell to near 0.1% . Another analysis stresses China's current market power: it holds nearly three‐quarters of global shipbuilding orders, compared to roughly 1% for the U.S.

The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market is experiencing rapid change, fueled by a surge in demand for LNG carrier ships. Shell projects that worldwide LNG demand could rise by about 60% by 2040, reaching as much as 718 million metric tons annually, with Asia and Europe leading this growth . Europe’s urgent need to replace Russian pipeline gas has also driven a 21.6% increase in LNG imports in the first half of 2025 . As a cleaner transitional fuel, LNG and its carrier sector are attracting significant policy focus and investment.

With the end of pandemic restrictions, global trade is bouncing back, fueling growth in maritime shipping and, in turn, boosting the market for second-hand vessel transactions. Traditionally, China, Japan, and South Korea have dominated the second-hand ship trade. In recent years, China’s competitive pricing and significant improvements in ship quality have made it increasingly attractive to buyers and sellers worldwide seeking pre-owned vessels. Our evaluation of the top platforms considers transaction volume, total trade value, service offerings, reputation, and other key factors.

The global tanker market stands at a pivotal juncture, especially for its largest segments—VLCCs, Suezmaxes, and Aframax/LRs. The coming years will see marked changes in fleet expansion, with the Aframax/LR segment set to expand rapidly, while uncertainty around the shadow fleet continues to shape market risks.

Building a new ship in China may not always be the best choice for every owner, but it is certainly an option worth considering. China is home to a wide range of shipyards, many of which have built a solid reputation for quality and efficiency across various vessel types. We are not here to persuade anyone to build ships in China—experienced shipowners and operators already know the industry well. Instead, we want to share some practical insights on how to select a suitable shipyard in China for your newbuild project. As a seasoned shipowner or master, you likely understand the fundamentals of the shipbuilding process. Therefore, this article focuses on shipyard selection, with a summary of the building process attached at the end.

Shipping containers are the backbone of global commerce, transporting everything from electronics to raw materials across oceans. With container ships growing to record sizes, a key question arises: How long does it really take to unload a container ship? The answer hinges on several variables, including vessel size, port infrastructure, and technological advancements. Let’s break down the unloading process and see how modern ports handle this critical operation.