CSSC newbuilds on the up

China State Shipbuilding Corp. (CSSC) has delivered 2.87 million tonnes of new ships in the first half of 2005, up 61% on last year. Nearly 80% of the newbuildings were for export. CSSC built 3.57 million tonnes in 2004, an increase of 64.5% year on year. Exports accounted for 73.8% of the total output.

In 2004, China built 8.8 million tonnes of ships, accounting for 14% of the world total and making China the third largest shipbuilding country in the world for the tenth consecutive year. It is predicted that China is expected to build more than 10 million tonnes this year, accounting for 18% of the world total.