According to a CSIS report China now leads ship production for commercial ships with 50% market share and the US remains at only 0.1%.
One Chinese shipbuilder completed more commercial ships by tonnage in 2024 than US manufacturers have built since World War II ended. China has built the largest naval fleet in the world which creates economic and military defense risks for both the United States and its partners worldwide.
According to the research “erosion of international shipbuilding strength puts military readiness at grave risk” which analyzes how China State Shipbuilding Corporation evolved over twenty years. CSSC builds ships both for the military and civilian sectors and delivers around 75% of its commercial vessels to foreign clients including US partners.
Both Republican and Democratic members of Congress are worried about this matter. As part of his policies, President Donald Trump established a new White House office to revive US shipbuilding industries. Labor unions push for better measures to fight China’s rising control in this sector.
Researchers from CSIS advise rebuilding American shipyards plus collaborating with allied nations to expand ship production across locations besides China. Short-term solutions involve charging docking fees for ships built in China plus reducing connections between US companies and CSSC subsidiaries.
