PUBLISHER: Orion Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1749619
PUBLISHER: Orion Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1749619
Shipbuilding Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Type (Bulk Carriers, Oil Tankers, Container Ships, Passenger Ships, and Other Types), and by End-User (Transport, Military) Forecast Period (2025-2035)
Industry Overview
Shipbuilding market was valued at $148.0 billion in 2024 and is growing at a CAGR of 3.5% over the forecast period (2025-2035), reaching a projected market size of $215.2 billion by 2035. The market size is projected to reach $215.2 billion in 2035. The growth of global trade, environmental legislation, defense expansion, offshore energy initiatives, technology growth, fleet renewal, and government stimulus is fueling the demand for cargo and container ships. Growing seaborne commerce spurs the demand for cargo and container ships while rising geopolitical tensions spur defense spending and demand for submarines, destroyers, and aircraft carriers. Technological growth comprises smart ship technology, automation of shipyards, and additive manufacturing. The cruise industry is additionally picking up, and fleet renewal and aging ships require more replacements. In 2025, global ocean cruise line revenue from ticket and onboard spending is estimated at $72.5 billion (a 7.7% increase over 2024) with 33.7 million annualized passengers carried (a 4.9% increase over 2024).
Market Dynamics
Expansion of International Trade
The increasing global volume of trades requires effective shipping of cargo, which escalates the use of ships such as tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships. For instance, in June 2024, Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems acquired Philly Shipyard. The acquisition invested $100 million to enlarge Hanwha's international defense and shipbuilding business, such as building technology for unmanned maritime systems, naval radar, and sensors for Manned and Unmanned Teaming missions.
Technological Advancements
Technological innovation in shipyards, such as digitalization, automation, and smart manufacturing, is improving vessel quality, enhancing productivity, and lowering operational costs, boosting market growth. For instance, in July 2024, Shipbuilding invested $691.8 million to increase the capacity of its Taizhou, Jiangsu province, production facility to meet increasing demand for new building orders. The project involved the construction of a new energy smart shipbuilding project in the Jingjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone, with smart manufacturing factories, an air pressure station, a liquid oxygen gasification station, an LNG gasification station, gantry cranes, a large-size dry dock, an inland terminal, and other auxiliary facilities. New Times Shipbuilding currently has one 500,000 tons-class, one 300,000 tons-class, and one 100,000 tons-class dry dock, three large-size outfitting docks, and an orderbook of 104 ships, guaranteeing activity until 2028.
Market Segmentation
Transport Segment to Lead the Market with the Largest Share
Transportation is an essential function in shipbuilding, facilitating effective transportation of raw materials and components to shipyards. Contemporary shipyards use digital technologies and sophisticated transport systems to improve assembly accuracy and speed. The innovations lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. Vessels, once constructed, play multiple functions, such as container ships, LNG carriers, cruise liners, and offshore ships. Hull designs with integration, environmentally friendly propulsion, and automation technology serve to satisfy operational efficiency and environmental laws.
Container Ships: A Key Segment in Market Growth
Container vessels are designed to transport bulk quantities of standard containers in a simple and easy loading, unloading, and switching process between modes of transport. It plays an essential role in global commerce, integration with intermodal transport, cost savings, and flexibility. Sophisticated container handling, navigation technology, and fuel efficiency innovations have made them more efficient and environmentally friendly, meeting international standards.
The global shipbuilding market is further divided by geography, including North America (the US and Canada), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, ASEAN Countries, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific), Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, and the Rest of Europe), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).
Integration of Advanced Manufacturing Techniques in Asia-Pacific
The integration of advanced manufacturing techniques, automation, and digitalization in shipyards is essential for enhancing productivity, meeting safety and environmental standards, and driving market growth. According to the Government of India, in February 2025, the Union Budget proposed the establishment of a Maritime Development Fund (MDF) worth $3 billion to support India's maritime sector. The fund provided financial assistance through equity or debt securities, with the government contributing 49%. The fund aims to boost Indian-flagged ships' share in global cargo volume to 20% by 2047. By 2030, the MDF aims to generate up to $1.8 billion in investment in the shipping sector. The scheme provided direct capital support, including breakwater and capital dredging, and proposed a 10-year rent holiday for land. The allocation of $732 million supported existing shipyards in upgrading and automating operations.
North America Region Dominates the Market with Major Share
North America holds a significant share owing to the US trade growth driving demand for commercial shipbuilding, prompting shipbuilders to modernize their fleets to meet the increasing demand for efficient vessels. According to the US Naval Institute, for the years 2024-30, planned shipbuilding aims for a fleet of 381 ships, necessitating an annual investment of $34 billion to $36 billion and the availability of shipyards equipped to construct these vessels.
Further, the cruise industry has made a stronger post-pandemic recovery than other travel sectors, with cruise demand outpacing hotel demand growth for the past two years. In America, AAA forecasts that 19 million will take ocean cruises in 2025, marking a 4.5% increase from 2024, when 18.2 million embarked on cruise vacations. This year is on track to be the third consecutive year of record-breaking cruise passenger numbers.
The major companies operating in the global shipbuilding market include Fincantieri S.p.A., Hanwha Group, HD Hyundai, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., China State Shipbuilding Corporation, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, Austal USA, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Ulstein Group ASA, among others. Market players are leveraging partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisition strategies for business expansion and innovative product development to maintain their market positioning.
Recent Developments