China is challenging Korea as the world’s largest shipbuilding nation. According to the latest figures from UK shipbroker Clarkson, Chinese shipyards signed more new contracts than Korean yards in 2007. DNV China last year celebrated the new “DNV record” – 280 vessels and 23.4 million deadweight tonnes (dwt) in one year.

“The 280 ships will be built for shipowners all over the globe,” explains regional manager Bjørn K. Haugland. “But Chinese shipowners building in Chinese yards often look to DNV for Class. Chinese shipowners alone have contributed 30% of the new DNV orders.”

“Teamwork, strong support from DNV in the shipowners’ regions and DNV’ support units, mixed with a lot of hard work, has resulted in these new contracts,” says Bjørn K. Haugland, DNV’s regional manager for Greater China.

Date: 2008-06-11