China is likely to retain its position as the world's third largest shipbuilder in 2001 for the six consecutive year since 1996, industrial sources said in Shanghai.
Vessels completed in the country's shipyards could amount to 4.5 million tons this year, a big rise over 2000, said Yang Xinkun, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Shipbuilding Industry.
Nearly 61 percent of the vessels built in China are exported, bringing US$7.9 billion to the country over the five years between 1996 and 2000, Yang said.
The country now holds 6 percent of the world market, next only to Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Vessels built in China have been exported to over 80 countries and regions worldwide, including major shipbuilding powers such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Germany, Italy and Poland, among others.
China is now able to produce the biggest and most sophisticated vessels in the world, including 175,000-ton bulk carriers, 300,000-ton oil tankers, 5,600-TEU container vessels of the 5th generation, as well as large LPG and LNG vessels.
(eastday.com December 11, 2001)
