Posted on June 29, 2026
By Melissa Chan
China now builds more than half of the world’s ships — from cargo vessels to tankers and even warships, far outpacing the US. DW examines how this shift is reshaping global power and whether Washington can catch up.
China is using its vast commercial shipbuilding base to expand its naval capabilities, creating a powerful industrial and military advantage.
By contrast, the US builds only a negligible number of commercial vessels, with its shipbuilding capacity in sharp decline.
How did China become the dominant force in global shipbuilding, and why is the United States scrambling to catch up? DW speaks with security expert Peter K. Lee about the risks of relying on Chinese shipyards, America’s industrial decline and why South Korea could play a key role in rebuilding US maritime power.
