For every ten new shipbuilding orders placed worldwide, seven go to China. As the global shipbuilding industry's center of gravity continues to shift toward China, Guangdong is seeking its own place in this global industrial competition.

Li Xin, director and general manager of Guangxin Shipbuilding & Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., notes that behind every ship lies a vast industrial chain. Manufacturing sectors such as steel, power equipment, and electronic information provide hardware support, while R&D and design, engineering, and various producer services are also involved, with the shipyard ultimately completing the complex integrated manufacturing. In Li's view, this also forms an important foundation for Guangdong's development of its shipbuilding industry.

As Chinese automakers accelerate their push into global markets, car carriers have become a vital means of transport connecting domestic auto production with overseas markets. Market demand is translating into orders for shipyards. "Currently, our orders in hand exceed 100 billion yuan, with production slots fully booked through 2030, and international orders account for over 90% of the total," says Peng Yonggui, a senior business manager in the General Management Department at Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd.

The rapid rise of the shipbuilding industry mirrors the accelerated development of Guangdong's marine economy. In 2025, Guangdong's gross ocean product reached 2.04 trillion yuan, up 4.4% year on year, accounting for 18.6% of the national total and ranking first in China for 31 consecutive years. From offshore engineering vessels to car carriers capable of carrying 10,000 vehicles, and from traditional manufacturing to intelligent production, the giant ships sailing from the Pearl River Estuary to global markets vividly illustrate Guangdong's industrial upgrade toward high-end manufacturing.