NANJING - Ship export revenue in East China's Jiangsu province totaled 50.02 billion yuan ($6.9 billion) in the first half (H1) of 2024, an increase of 72.1 percent year-on-year and ranking top in China, according to local customs authorities on Thursday.

The value of the province's ship exports accounted for 34.1 percent of the country's total in the same period, according to Nanjing Customs.

Jiangsu has established a ship-building industry cluster, manufacturing a wide range of vessels, such as high-end cruise liners, cargo ships, "ro-ro" (roll-on/roll-off) ships, liquefied natural gas (LNG) transporting vessels, and self-elevating wind turbine installation vessels.

Customs data shows that in the first half of the year, the province's exports of container ships, liquified cargo ships and bulk carriers had increased by 153 percent, 77 percent and 32.3 percent, respectively.

Song Shuming, general manager of Jiangsu Yangzi-Mitsui Shipbuilding Co Ltd, said the company will build and deliver 15 ships this year, a record high in the company's history.

Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, delivered 20 new ships in the first half of 2024 -- resulting in export value doubling year-on-year.

Wang Yi, the company's director of customs affairs, said that the company has nearly 100 orders in hand, with production plans scheduled through the year 2028.

Nanjing Customs has vowed to continue to improve customs clearing efficiency to help boost ship exports.