Auto & Transportation

Since the beginning of this year, China's shipbuilding industry has maintained a good momentum of development. The three major indicators of shipbuilding continue to take the lead in the international trade market share, and the export value of ships has achieved a slight increase. Li Yajun, industry director of the Ship Branch of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Mechanical and Electrical Products, predicts that China's ship exports will still increase this year compared with last year, and is expected to reach about 26.5 billion US dollars.

The export market is more diverse

Data show that from January to July this year, China's ship exports amounted to US$14.4 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.8%. In terms of export ship types, since the beginning of this year, bulk carriers, oil tankers and container ships still rank among the top three ship exporters in China. The data shows that from January to July 2022, in China's total ship exports, bulk carriers accounted for 24.2%, oil tankers accounted for 16.3%, container ships accounted for 15.7%, and floating or diving drilling or production platforms accounted for 14.7% , motor multi-purpose ships accounted for 5.7%, light boats, fire ships, crane ships and other non-navigation-based ships accounted for 4.2%, and motorized ro-ro ships with a deadweight of 20,000 tons or less accounted for 3.7%.

At present, Asia is still China's largest ship export market. Data show that from January to July 2022, China’s ship exports to Asia were US$7.4 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.8%, accounting for 51.4%; China’s ship exports to the European market were US$2.5 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 9.2%, accounting for 51.4%. Compared with 17.5%; China's ship exports to the African market were 2.07 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 35.6%, accounting for 14.4%. "Since this year, with the continuous strengthening of the 'Belt and Road' international cooperation, especially the continuous expansion and deepening of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, Chinese shipbuilding companies have continued to explore new markets for international trade, and China's ship export market has shown diversified characteristics. In addition, China's ship trade to Africa has also achieved rapid growth." Li Yajun said.

Exports still face challenges

Since the beginning of this year, China's ship export volume has achieved a small increase while still facing many challenges. In this regard, Li Yajun put forward a variety of suggestions for the development of China's shipbuilding industry: In view of the high export-oriented characteristics of the shipbuilding industry, Li Yajun believes that Chinese shipbuilding enterprises should attach great importance to changes in the international situation and plan ahead. "At present, more than 90% of China's new ship orders are foreign trade orders. The shipbuilding industry is faced with complex and severe domestic and foreign situations, with increasing uncertainties, which seriously troubles the business activities of shipbuilding companies. Therefore, it is recommended that shipbuilding companies attach great importance to changes in the international situation. , make plans to deal with changes in exchange rates, raw materials, supply chains and other factors." Li Yajun said.

Chinese shipbuilding enterprises should strengthen the maintenance of export markets and customers, and make every effort to ensure the stability of orders and customers. The impact of the epidemic for more than two years and the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war this year have had an impact on the market structure, customer structure, ship type structure, and ship prices of Chinese ship exports. Li Yajun suggested that Chinese shipbuilding companies should pay close attention to customer needs and other internal and external changes, and adjust market layout and response strategies in a timely manner as appropriate.

At the same time, Chinese shipbuilding enterprises must fully guard against performance risks and ensure that orders are delivered on time. "Currently, most Chinese shipbuilding companies have sufficient orders for new ships, and shipbuilding tasks are full. Under this circumstance, companies should prevent the occurrence of situations that may affect normal contract performance, ensure that materials and equipment arrive on time, ensure smooth logistics, and prepare emergency response. Plan to ensure that the ship is delivered on time." Li Yajun said.

Under the guidance of the "dual carbon" policy, Chinese shipbuilding enterprises should seize the new opportunities brought by the development of "green ship" technology. "In recent years, orders for green power ships have shown explosive growth, including container ships, oil tankers, bulk carriers and other ship types. Therefore, it is recommended that Chinese ship companies accelerate the research and development and innovation of green ship technology, and seize the opportunity to seize new opportunities in the development of green ships. opportunities, enhance intelligent manufacturing capabilities, and promote enterprise transformation and upgrading." Li Yajun said.

In addition, China's shipbuilding industry should also improve its internal strength and continuously improve its competitiveness. "Continue to strengthen the introduction, training and improvement of industry-wide leading talents and high-end design and R&D talents, increase the research on core equipment, systematically sort out the 'stuck neck' technical equipment in the shipbuilding industry, and provide stable support funds and resources; implement major Technical equipment research projects, demonstration projects, improve the industrial basic support system, and improve the quality of industrial development." Li Yajun said.