Largest shipbuilding nations based on gross tonnage 2020

China, South Korea, and Japan were the leading shipbuilding nations in 2020. China completed ships with a combined gross tonnage of around 23.2 million. CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) is China's leading shipyard.

About the shipbuilding industry

Shipbuilding is a risky business; it is as cyclical as it is capital intensive, and fleet expansion can mean make or break for a shipyard’s customer: the shipping line. Shipping lines can be divided into cruise lines and freighters. While cruise lines operate ships to carry passengers, freighters employ vessels to transport cargo. Florida-headquartered Carnival Corporation is the largest player in the cruise industry worldwide. The group owns brands such as AIDA Cruises, the Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and Princess Cruises.

Bulk carriers comprise the largest segment in terms of tonnage

There were around 12,000 bulk carriers in the world merchant fleet as of January 2020. The global shipbuilding industry completed bulk carriers with a combined gross tonnage of almost 23 million in 2019, making it the largest category of vessel delivered in terms of gross tonnage.