Global shipbuilding capacity is set to grow by a percent with the reactivation of one of the most famous shipyards from the previous boom and bust era of shipping.
MB Shipbroking, formerly known as Maersk Broker, is reporting that Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries, once China’s biggest private shipyard, is to reopen with the world’s largest containerline as one of its first clients.
Rongsheng has acquired financial backing, according to the Danish broker, and has won a contract for a series of 12,000 teu LNG dual-fuelled ships from Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), a line that has sought out alternative yards in China for its next wave of expansion.
MB Shipbroking is reporting that Rongsheng is also marketing large tankers and bulk carriers with delivery slots from the end of 2026, with the reactivation potentially leading to a 1% increase of global shipbuilding capacity.
Rongsheng, located in the Yangtze River Delta, was founded in 2006, and became the largest private shipbuilder in China, churning out giant valemaxes at its four large dry-docks, before a massive financial collapse forced it to cease operations in 2014.
MSC, meanwhile, is also reported to have signed up for ten 21,000 teu LNG dual fuel shops at Jiangsu Hantong with delivery from its new drydock starting from the second half of 2027 through 2028. Commonly known for building bulk carriers, this marks Hantong’s debut in the container segment. MSC is also rumoured to be behind a series of 11,000 teu LNG duel fuel units at Penglai Jinglu as it gears up to go it alone on the main east-west trades from next year with the end of its vessel sharing agreement with Maersk.