Chinese shipbuilder Hengli is set to deliver a minimum of 160 vessels by 2028, according to recent analysis. This extraordinary expansion highlights one of the most significant industrial growths ever observed in the shipbuilding sector. The Dalian-based yard, which only acquired the former STX Dalian facility in 2022, has rapidly accumulated a substantial orderbook.
This rapid increase in shipbuilding capacity could potentially impact the global vessel supply, influencing charter rates and newbuild prices in the coming years. For freight forwarders and shippers, an expanding global fleet might eventually lead to increased capacity and potentially more competitive rates across various shipping segments, although the exact impact will depend on demand growth and vessel types being delivered.
