BIMCO said the global shipping orderbook reached 191.0m cgt at the end of the first quarter of 2026, equal to 17% of the world fleet and the highest ratio since 2011. First-quarter contracting rose 40% year-on-year, led by tanker orders and a rebound in LNG tanker contracting, while yard lead times and engine supply constraints remained key issues.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries applied a two-yard construction model to a 157,000 dwt suezmax tanker, joining a bow section built by HSG Sungdong Shipbuilding with a stern section completed at Ulsan. The project is aimed at making better use of dock space as South Korean shipyards manage larger orderbooks.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) unveiled two 46,000 cbm ammonia-powered gas carriers for Exmar at its Ulsan shipyard. The vessels, Antwerpen and Arlon, are part of a four-ship series and are scheduled for delivery in May and July.
Novatek has created Severny Inzhiniring, a shipbuilding subsidiary for ice-class LNG carriers and condensate tankers, as foreign yard access remains restricted.
Dalian COSCO Shipping Kawasaki completed methanol tank section installation on its first 24,000-TEU dual-fuel container ship on 30 March, reaching the milestone three days ahead of schedule.
BlackRock has acquired a 5.01% stake in Samsung Heavy Industries as the South Korean shipbuilder builds orders and global yard backlogs remain extended.
ZPMC has completed keel laying for two 38,000 DWT multipurpose heavy lift vessels equipped with three 350-tonne cranes and a combined lifting capacity of 700 tonnes.
ZPMC has started construction of a jackup vessel designed for water depths of up to 90 m, with a 1,600-tonne crane and 142 m legs for offshore wind and marine support work.
The Clarksons Newbuilding Price Index stood at 182.14 at the end of February 2026, only 2.6% above the 2007 level, showing how limited overall new ship price gains have been despite higher yard costs.
