{
  "id": 13800377,
  "title": "South Korea, China Clash Over LNG Carrier Market",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/south-korea-china-clash-over-lng-carrier-market",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-11T21:00:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/south-korea-china-clash-over-lng-carrier-market/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a fierce battle for dominance in the market for large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, South Korea and China are locked in a competition for market share. Chinese shipbuilders have been actively expanding their capacity through shipyard expansion and upgrading vessel sizes, while South Korean shipyards are focusing on increasing operational efficiency and advancing gas processing technologies. According to Clarkson Research, a British analysis agency, 82 large LNG carriers have been ordered globally since January, with South Korean shipyards securing 44 orders (53.7% of the total), while Chinese shipyards have won 35 orders (42.7%). The gap between the two countries, which was 29 vessels last year, has narrowed to within 10 vessels this year. China is investing in its own shipyards, with five Chinese shipyards having experience in building large LNG carriers. China's Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding and Jiangnan Shipyard are among those building large LNG carriers. Meanwhile, South Korean shipbuilders are concentrating on enhancing vessel efficiency, as transporting LNG in a cryogenic state presents high technical challenges. South Korean shipbuilders have made significant strides in improving cargo hold insulation and boil-off gas processing technology, leading to increased operational efficiency and reduced loading capacity. South Korean companies like HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries are implementing advanced technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the market. Despite the challenges, Chinese shipyards are making progress, but replacing South Korean shipyards in terms of volume seems unlikely due to lengthy construction times and quality verification requirements. However, with Chinese shipyards gradually obtaining licenses for LNG cargo hold design and technology, the gap between the two nations may continue to narrow.",
  "summary": "Fierce competition is unfolding between South Korea and China in the market for large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, which represent high value-added vessels. As China initiates a pursuit by putting forward a volume offensive through shipyard expansion and the ultra-upsizing of vessels, the South Korean shipbuilding industry is stepping up to maintain a super ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}