Supply Chain Research

The Chinese shipbuilding industry had a strong start to 2018 in terms of new orders, with a 180% rise on a year earlier for the first quarter. That resulted in an orderbook of 93.7 million dwt, the highest since at least December 2016. Yet, the earlier decline in orders meant exports fell 50% on a year earlier in terms of vessels. That’s been a problem across the industry, with total exports from China, Japan and South Korea having fallen 8% on a year earlier to $16.7 billion. While President Xi’s commitment to open the shipbuilding industry to foreign ownership raises the prospect of ra...