Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has commenced the construction of six 21,000 TEU container ships, setting a new record for China's shipbuilding industry and showcasing its competitive strength in the market.
The container shipping market is facing a dual challenge of declining demand and rapid capacity growth. An estimated 5 million TEUs of new ships are expected to be delivered over the next two years, leading to the highest capacity growth in 20 years, while freight rates continue to plummet, increasing market risks. Although there remains a willingness to pay for some capacity, factors such as global economic slowdown and rising inflation create significant uncertainty for future trends. Industry experts warn that the sector must seek transformation under pressure to enhance competitiveness.
The quality of global container shipping services has sharply declined, with on-time performance dropping to 56%, posing significant challenges for shipping companies. Routes from Asia to the U.S. have shown particularly poor results, with record-low on-time rates leading to shipper dissatisfaction. The rise in trade volume due to global economic recovery has exacerbated capacity constraints and high shipping costs. The shortage of container equipment needs urgent attention, and shipping companies must improve transparency and service quality to alleviate pressure on customers.
The 2018 overview of China's coastal cargo ships shows a trend of increasing capacity across various ship categories. Bulk carriers, container ships, and liquid hazardous goods vessels have all seen growth in tonnage and numbers, reflecting a healthy industry development and proactive structural adjustments.
