The global maritime landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as China establishes itself as the leading hub for ship maintenance and modernization. Recent data presented at the 95th meeting of the Ship Repair China Consortium (SPCC) in Jiangyin indicates that China’s ship repair industry has reached a historic milestone. It has outpaced national GDP growth and now dominates the international market.
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A Year of Record-Breaking Growth
In 2025, the total output value of China’s ship repair sector exceeded RMB 45 billion (approximately US$164.48 billion). This represents a remarkable 13.5% year-on-year increase, underscoring the industry’s resilience and its critical role in the global supply chain.
One of the year’s most notable achievements was COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry’s performance. The enterprise became the first single group in China to exceed RMB 10 billion in output value, repairing over 1,300 vessels in 2025 alone.
Dominating the Global Market
China’s infrastructure and efficiency have allowed it to capture the lion’s share of the global market. In 2025, China accounted for over 64% of the global volume of completed ship repairs. The breakdown by vessel size further illustrates this dominance:
- Ships over 10,000 DWT: 64.18% global share
- Ships over 20,000 DWT: 68.10% global share
- Ships over 30,000 DWT: 69.94% global share
These figures prove that for large-scale commercial vessels, China remains the preferred destination for shipowners worldwide.
The Green and Intelligent Transformation
Beyond pure volume, the Chinese ship repair industry is undergoing a “Green Revolution.” The SPCC highlighted a significant push toward eco-friendly technologies and automation.
Surge in Green Equipment
As of late 2025, major Chinese shipyards reported a steady increase in the adoption of sustainable technology:
- High-Pressure Water Jetting Machines: 1,704 units (up 2.3%) – replacing traditional sandblasting to reduce pollution.
- Wall-Climbing Robots: 474 units (up 2.1%) – increasing safety and efficiency in hull maintenance.
- Specialized Dock Vehicles: Significant growth in boom trucks and dock bottom vehicles to streamline operations.
Furthermore, water-based “green” repair operations increased 20% year on year, accounting for over 62% of total activities. This transition is not just about compliance with environmental regulations; it is a strategic move to improve the median output value per vessel, which currently sits at a healthy RMB 6 million.
Future Outlook: Smart Shipyards
The industry’s focus is shifting toward “intelligent transformation.” By integrating AI-driven maintenance schedules and robotic repairs, Chinese shipyards are reducing vessel downtime. This efficiency is critical, as the global fleet faces increasing pressure to meet stringent IMO (International Maritime Organisation) decarbonization targets.
As China continues to invest in infrastructure and green technology, its ship repair sector is well-positioned to remain the backbone of the global maritime industry for years to come.
Source: imarinenews.com
