BEIJING China’s shipbuilding industry recorded another strong month of export growth in July, supported by sustained international demand and a faster pace of vessel deliveries, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China.
Chinese shipyards exported 656 vessels worth RMB 48.82 billion ($7.2 billion) during the month. Export volumes rose 36.4% year on year, while the total value of shipments jumped 84.6%.
The figures underline the growing international demand for Chinese-built vessels and the country’s expanding role in global ship supply.
Good first seven months performance The positive trend has continued into 2026. In the first seven months of this year, China exported 4,046 vessels valued at RMB 268.14 billion ($39.55 billion).
Compared with the same period in 2025, export volumes increased 4.5%, while export value grew much faster, rising 32.7%.
The difference between volume and value growth reflects the increasing contribution of higher-value vessel types to China’s export performance.
Tankers lead the expansion
Tankers have emerged as one of the strongest drivers of this growth.
In July alone, Chinese shipyards exported 57 tankers worth RMB 22.14 billion. That represented a 171.4% year-on-year increase in the number of vessels and a 212.9% surge in export value.
The tanker segment has also posted substantial gains over the first seven months of the year.
From January through July, China exported 296 tankers valued at RMB 105.63 billion. Compared with the same period last year, tanker export volumes increased 89.7%, while their total value climbed an impressive 187.1%.
Global demand supports Chinese shipbuilders
The sharp increase in tanker exports points to strong international demand for Chinese-built vessels as shipping companies continue to renew and expand their fleets.
The segment’s rapid growth is also increasing its importance to China’s overall ship export performance. With tanker demand accelerating alongside broader fleet investment, Chinese shipyards are strengthening their position in a global market increasingly focused on fleet capacity, efficiency and vessel replacement.
“If this momentum continues, tankers are likely to continue to be a major contributor to China’s ship export growth for the rest of 2026.”
