Greater ChinaShipyards

Chinese yards dominate repair industry

As with so many other facets of shipping, China dominates the ship repair industry. Latest data from Clarkson Research show 10 of the top 12 repair yards last year were Chinese.

The ranking of repair yards is based on recorded special surveys in 2018. The special survey data utilises vessel movement callings at repair yards that match with survey dates. The data, carried in the latest weekly report from Clarkson Research, also shows the number of surveys and refurbishment and/or retrofitting installations. Clarkson’s database covers 600 repair yards across the world.

In top spot was CIC Changxing, just ahead of Drydocks World Dubai. CIC Changxing, formerly part of the China Shipping empire before it merged with Cosco, features three floating drydocks capable of working on the largest ships afloat today – up to 410 m in length. Located on an island to the north of Shanghai the yard has a depth alongside of 18.5 m.

With scrubber and ballast water work giving repair yards more work than normal, Clarkson data shows that 53% of all work last year at the repair yards it tracks was related to eco equipment upgrades.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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