🔥Why Are South Korean Shipbuilders Beating China in 2025?

🔟 Questions, 🔟 Answers — South Korea’s Shipping Comeback Story!

🎖️Subscribe /✨Sponsorship /📊Exclusive Report /🙏Rate us /🎁Send Gift

Greetings, Maritime Mavericks!

In 2024, South Korea hit its lowest shipbuilding order levels in 8 years.

China dominated with cheaper builds. Korea nearly exited the containership race.

But in 2025, everything changed.

Thanks to rising geopolitical tensions, new U.S. tariff threats, and demand for

cleaner ships, Korean ship builders are back in the spotlight.

Let’s unpack the necessary questions to reveal them all.

1. What caused the rebound in South Korean orders?

2. How much did Korea’s market share grow in H1 2025?

3. Is global shipbuilding shrinking overall?

4. What sector helped Korea the most?

5. How many containerships has HD Hyundai secured so far?

6. Why are containership clients choosing Korea over China now?

7. What happened to LNG carrier orders worldwide?

8. Is China still leading overall?

9. Are Korean shipbuilders profitable again?

10. What’s the long-term outlook for Korea?

Here’s the full story—told through 10 sharp questions and 10 clear answers.

1. What caused the rebound in South Korean orders?

U.S. tariff plans on Chinese ships. Clients shifted orders to Korea.

2. How much did Korea’s market share grow in H1 2025?

From 17.2% to 25.1%. A major jump, despite global slowdown.

3. Is global shipbuilding shrinking overall?

Yes. Orders dropped 54.5% globally in compensated gross tonnage (CGT).

4. What sector helped Korea the most?

Containerships. They made up 50% of Korea’s 2025 orders.

5. How many containerships has HD Hyundai secured so far?