Starting from scratch

Although the Chinese shipbuilding industry tops the number of new orders received across 14 vessel categories, it was not until the late 1970s when local shipbuilders began pursuing international orders.

When China began opening-up, its undeveloped shipbuilding sector was striving to complete for orders in the highly-competitive global market then dominated by the European Union, US, Japan, and South Korea.

The successful delivery of the 27,000-ton bulk carrier Regent Tampopo in January 1982 to Hong Kong entrepreneur Chi-Li Pao was widely regarded as a breakthrough. Constructed by CSSC's Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co in 18 months, it was the first large-scale ship built by China and exported in accordance with international standards, according to the Marine Design & Research Institute of China.

The domestic shipbuilding industry entered a new era in the early 80s, and China received 77 vessel orders from international customers, according to MARIC.

"The high quality and large quantity of Chinese talent made the Chinese shipbuilding industry's transformation possible," said Zhang Fumin, a MARIC researcher.

"In the past few decades, several aspects have contributed to the rise of the nation's shipbuilding industry. The continuous industrial development has offered the foundation; the stable domestic economic growth provides an ideal environment; and the central government's consistent support for technologies create the ground for industries including shipbuilding to grow and vigorously development," Zhang explained.

In 1995, China surpassed Germany to become the world's third-largest shipbuilder.