Global asset management firm BlackRock has increased its stake in Samsung Heavy Industries to over 5%, making it a major shareholder in the company. This move signals strong institutional confidence in the sustainability of the current supercycle in the shipbuilding industry.
According to information recently disclosed on the Financial Supervisory Service of Korea’s electronic disclosure system, BlackRock has reported a new holding of 44,056,088 shares in Samsung Heavy Industries, representing a 5.01% stake. These shares were acquired through purchases on the open market, and BlackRock has explicitly stated that the purpose of the holding is solely for investment purposes.
However, the South Korean shipbuilding industry generally believes that, given that BlackRock has become a major shareholder in Samsung Heavy Industries, this increase in shareholding signifies more than a mere financial investment.
As of April 1, Samsung Heavy Industries had secured orders for 16 new vessels worth $3.1 billion (approximately RMB 21.3 billion) in 2026, achieving 22% of its annual order target of $13.9 billion. By vessel type, the orders include six liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, two very large ethane carriers (VLECs), two very large gas carriers (VLGCs), two container ships, and four crude oil tankers.
Based on Samsung Heavy Industries’ order momentum, a clear trend of recovery is emerging. Industry analysts note that against the backdrop of expanding orders, improving performance, a recovery in the shipbuilding cycle, and the advancement of global strategic partnerships, BlackRock’s move reflects its optimistic outlook on the shipbuilding industry’s prospects.
Since the early 2020s, as freight rates in many shipping sectors remained high, shipyards saw a significant increase in order volumes. As evidence of the current shipbuilding supercycle, 20% of all vessels currently under construction are scheduled for delivery more than three years from now, whereas in early 2021, only about 5% of the global order backlog had delivery cycles exceeding three years.
According to records, BlackRock was founded in 1988 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1999. It has since grown into the world’s largest and most influential asset management group, headquartered in New York, USA, with operations spanning major global markets.