[Text/Observer Network Ruan Jiaqi]
"Revitalizing the shipbuilding industry" is considered a long-cherished wish of U.S. President Trump. Cunning as he is, he not only requested cooperation between Japan and South Korea but even proposed a poisonous scheme of taxing Chinese ships entering ports. However, reality can be harsh.
According to a report by Hong Kong's South China Morning Post on June 6, despite the U.S. imposing so-called "port service fees" on vessels related to China, which has caused some ship buyers to hesitate, major industry giants including Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest container shipping company, still chose to continue cooperating with Chinese shipyards. They believe that China's competitiveness in the shipbuilding sector is irreplaceable in the short term.
Hong Kong media cited reports from the well-known maritime media "Tradewinds," stating that at the "Shipping Grand Event" Nor-Shipping held in Oslo this week, MSC Senior Vice President Marie-Caroline Laurent said that even if the U.S. is determined to challenge China's dominant position in the global shipbuilding industry, the port fees it levies will not become an obstacle for shipowners to order more new ships from China.
Mari-Caroline Laurent frankly stated that she was glad to see the U.S. trying to revitalize its shipbuilding industry, but "with the trend of energy transition, we need new ships."
In order to address global warming, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the United Nations clearly put forward the strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions in the global shipping industry around 2050. This has prompted companies to accelerate investments in decarbonization technologies such as green fuels, driving a significant increase in new ship orders, rising from 8.2% in 2016 to 41% in 2024.
China undertakes more than 70% of the global orders for green ships, covering LNG dual-fuel, methanol dual-fuel, ammonia fuel ships, and battery hybrid ships, achieving full coverage of mainstream ship types and new fuels. In comparison, South Korean orders are concentrated in LNG dual-fuel ships with limited variety.
"These ships are mostly made in China now," Laurent further stated. "They have the technology and capability, which is why we will continue to build new ships in China today."
She emphasized that shipping companies indeed hope for stronger shipbuilding capabilities, but the recovery of the U.S. shipbuilding industry cannot happen overnight. Taking European shipyards as an example, she believed that the government must play a role in subsidies and retaining strategic assets.
"This is an interesting conversation. But at this stage, (U.S. measures) may not change our overall strategy regarding shipbuilding," Laurent said.
MSC Senior Vice President Marie-Caroline Laurent (right). Material video screenshot
According to "Tradewinds," MSC has ordered over 100 new ships, with Chinese shipyards being its first choice. MSC currently has new ships under construction at several large Chinese shipyards, including Zhoushan Changhong, CSSC Guangzhou Shipyard International, and Hengli Heavy Industry.
On the same forum, Andy Dacy, head of Morgan Stanley's Global Transportation Group, also expressed similar views.
Andy said that the goal of U.S. shipbuilding returning home is "admirable," but there are many practical challenges, especially in terms of labor costs and technical reserves, where the U.S. finds it hard to compete with current Chinese shipyards.
He said, "Currently, China accounts for more than 50% of the global shipbuilding capacity. I think the global shipping market is actually developing toward a 'China plus others' dichotomy."
It is worth noting that coinciding with the conference, according to Zhejiang Daily on May 5, on the same day, the "11,500 TEU LNG Dual-Fuel Container Ship" built by Changhong International Shipyard in Zhoushan successfully departed the dock and was delivered for export to MSC.
The report stated that this ship is the largest container ship ever built in Zhejiang Province and the first vessel delivered by Changhong International in 2025. Changhong International also holds 36 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) dual-fuel container ship construction orders from MSC.
Hangzhou Customs
According to Hong Kong media, the irreplaceable status of Chinese shipyards in the short term has formed a broad consensus among many shipowners.
The report mentioned that last month, there were rumors that Japanese shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) would delay ordering LNG carriers from China. The company quickly responded, stating that it would consider shipyards in both China and South Korea.
"Given the current geopolitical environment, the company will carefully choose the shipyard for new LNG carrier orders," the statement emphasized. "There are only a limited number of shipyards globally capable of building high-quality LNG carriers to ensure stable transportation, and Chinese shipyards are important partners in ensuring diversified and flexible procurement sources."
Hong Kong media cited reports from maritime data provider Clarkson's that due to factors such as geopolitical tensions, the rhythm of new ship orders slowed down at the start of 2025. From January to April this year, the total new ship orders globally amounted to 12.6 million corrected gross tons (CGT), a year-on-year decrease of 48%. Among them, Chinese shipyards secured 54% of the orders, followed by South Korea, accounting for 22%.
Clarkson's report also pointed out that measured in corrected gross tons, the U.S. shipyards account for only 0.2% of the global order backlog, and only five operating shipyards have the capability to construct "large" commercial vessels.
The report noted that the high cost of new ship construction in the U.S., insufficient skilled workers/labor force, limited production facilities, and lack of recent experience in constructing merchant ships all hinder the development of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
Data shows that in 2025, China accounts for more than 50% of the annual total production of global shipyards. Bloomberg chart
It is worth mentioning that while Trump is single-mindedly "saving" the declining U.S. shipbuilding industry, he also plans to impose high "dockage fees" on ships made in China.
On April 17 local time, the U.S. Trade Representative Office (USTR) website released a federal bulletin, claiming that all ships built in China and owned by Chinese entities will be subject to charges based on the amount of cargo they carry when docking at U.S. ports. These charge measures will officially take effect 180 days later and will be implemented in two phases.
According to the details of the charges published in the bulletin, starting October 14 this year, the U.S. will charge so-called "shipping service fees" at a rate of $50 per net tonnage for any ships operated by Chinese operators or owned by Chinese entities. This amount will increase by $30 annually over three years, reaching $140 per net tonnage by 2028.
In response to the U.S. pressure and suppression on ships built in China, on April 10, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded at a regular press conference, stating that the development of China's shipbuilding industry is the result of corporate technological innovation and active participation in market competition, making significant contributions to global trade development and the stable and secure operation of the global supply chain.
Multiple U.S. research reports show that the U.S. shipbuilding industry lost its competitive edge years ago due to excessive protectionism. Blaming China for its own problems lacks factual basis and contradicts economic common sense.
The U.S.' unilateralist and protectionist practices are unpopular and will only drive up global shipping costs, disrupt the stability of global production and supply chains, harm the interests of countries worldwide, and ultimately fail to revive the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
This article is an exclusive piece by the Observer Network and unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7512786757415436835/
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