Based on monthly shipbuilding data released on June 9 by Clarksons, a leading international shipping research firm, global new ship orders in May 2026 totaled 4.52 million compensated gross tonnage(CGT, 147 vessels); This represents a decrease of 3.66 million CGT compared to the previous month (8.18 million CGT), a drop of 45%; compared to the same period last year (2.37 million CGT), it marks an increase of 2.15 million CGT, a surge of 91%.
By country, in May, Chinese shipbuilders secured orders totaling 2.11 million CGT (97 vessels), accounting for a 47% market share; South Korean shipbuilder secured new orders totaling 1.99 million CGT (34 vessels), accounting for a 44% market share.
By month, in April, Chinese and South Korean shipbuilders secured 4.37 million CGT (156 vessels) and 1.05 million CGT (33 vessels), respectively, with market shares of 67% and 13%. In contrast, the gap in market share between the two countries’ shipyards narrowed significantly in May, with the difference narrowing to just 3%.
From January to May 2026, global new ship orders totaled 33.56 million CGT (1,108 vessels), a 62% increase year-over-year (20.66 million CGT/863 vessels). During this period, Chinese shipbuilders secured orders totaling 22.98 million CGT (816 vessels), accounting for a 68% market share, a 103% increase year-over-year; South Korean shipbuilders received orders totaling 7.08 million CGT (168 vessels), holding a 21% market share, an 84% increase year-over-year.
As of May 31, 2026, the global orderbook for newbuilds stood at 202 million CGT, an increase of 3.79 million CGT from the previous month, indicating a sustained growth trend in new ship orders.
During the same period, Chinese shipbuilders held orders totaling 129.43 million CGT, accounting for a 65% market share—an increase of 25.52 million CGT year-over-year and 3.17 million CGT month-over-month. South Korean shipbuilders held orders totaling 37.06 million CGT, accounting for a 19% market share—an increase of 1.16 million CGT year-over-year and 0.14 million CGT month-over-month.
In terms of overall orders, Chinese shipbuilders’ market share rose slightly by 1 percentage point month-on-month to 65%, while South Korean shipbuilders’ market share remained unchanged at 19%.
As of the end of May 2026, the Clarkson Newbuilding Price Index stood at 185.01, up 1.6 points month-on-month, marking a slight increase. Compared to the level in May 2021 (136.14), this represents an increase of approximately 36%, indicating that the overall upward trend in ship prices continues.
As a reference for select vessel types, the newbuilding cost for a 174,000 m³ liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier is approximately $248.5 million; the newbuilding price for a very large crude carrier (VLCC) is approximately $130.5 million; and the newbuilding cost for a very large container ship (22,000–24,000 TEU) is approximately $261.5 million.