Chinese shipyards won approximately 72% of new shipbuilding orders by compensated gross tonnage in the first half of 2026, according to Clarksons Research, around $96 billion of a $132.6 billion global order book. [source]
The order book is increasingly concentrated in higher-value tonnage. Chinese yards held around 74% of global container ship capacity on order, close to 7.4 million TEU, according to Alphaliner data. [source] Yards are expanding to meet demand: Yangzijiang is adding an 800,000 dwt a year VLCC dock, and further capacity is coming online in Zhoushan and Zhejiang province through the rest of 2026. [source]
This programme is curated dialogue for a group of senior executives: pre-structured and designed to provide commercially actionable intelligence and introductions. The delegation is anchored by shipowning and ship operating companies, whose presence defines the quality of the room for every other participant.
The pilot.
In December 2025, CSAL ran a first, small delegation to Shanghai. Different format, different backdrop: Marintec China and the Pudong Shipping Week in December. October 2026 is its own programme, shaped around the events and the conversations that matter now.
“I came home with around forty new contacts, a good number of whom I am still speaking to eight months later. If you are trying to build a position in the Chinese maritime market, this is a serious shortcut.”
Owner, Akiramen
“Being part of the delegation underlined how much practical, people-to-people collaboration in shipping is already happening on the ground — and how valuable these exchanges are in building long-term relationships.”
Senior Account Manager, Navigate PR
Three commercial themes structure the programme. Each reflects a dimension of China’s current position that is directly material to the decisions facing international shipowners and their advisers.
Fleet Capital & Ordering Strategy
Structured dialogue focused on Chinese fleet strategy, capital allocation, and orderbook dynamics. The programme draws on engagement with Chinese market principals to ground the analysis in current commercial reality.
Shipyard Access & Technical Capability
A structured visit to a major Shanghai-area shipyard. Operational briefings assessing delivery reality: what is being built and what the specifications actually mean.
Fuel Transition in Practice
LNG, methanol, ammonia: engineering reality and commercial viability presented in a closed setting by specialists with direct knowledge of what Chinese yards are delivering.
Participation is selective. The delegation is assembled with close attention to professional complementarity: the aim is a group where seniority, sector range, and commercial perspective combine to make the conversations in the room genuinely productive.
- Shipowners and operators with active fleet renewal decisions
- Shipbrokers engaged in Chinese yard negotiations
- Marine insurers and P&I professionals
- Maritime lawyers advising on newbuilding or charterparty
- ESG and fuel transition advisers serving fleet operators
- Infrastructure and capital stakeholders with maritime exposure
The week of 19 October 2026 in Shanghai.
Shanghai Pudong International Shipping Week has moved to October for the first time.
UK Day on 21 October, the highlight event of Shanghai Pudong International Shipping Week, is held at the Shanghai International Convention Center. It is organised by Maritime London in partnership with UK Shipping Concierge, the Maritime Coastguard Agency, Anemoi, London International Shipping Week 2027 and the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, and supported by the UK Government’s Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade and Department for Transport, the Chinese Shipping Association of London and the Society of Maritime Industries. Delegates attend as part of the CSAL delegation, and CSAL will explore speaking opportunities where the programme allows.
The programme.
Private meetings and site visits are matched to delegates within the fixed programme. The shape is set; the counterparties are tailored to the people in the room.
Arrival
Arrivals. Evening: informal welcome gathering at Captain Bar on the Bund for delegates who have arrived.
Morning: shipyard visit, operational briefing and yard tour. Hosted lunch with Shanghai shipping professionals. Afternoon: meeting with a Chinese ship finance or leasing institution. Evening: Shanghai Pudong International Shipping Week cruise dinner.
Morning: closed-door meeting with a Chinese shipowner and a Chinese charterer, with an interpreter where needed. Lunch at leisure in Zhangyuan, a restored shikumen lane district in Jing’an. 16:00–17:00: Shanghai Pudong International Shipping Week Opening Ceremony, Shanghai International Convention Center, VIP status. Evening: private delegation dinner with invited Chinese guests.
Morning: visit to a leading Chinese futures brokerage. From 13:00: UK Day, the highlight event of Shanghai Pudong International Shipping Week, Shanghai International Convention Center, from the networking lunch through to the 18:00 networking reception. Late evening: CSAL afterparty.
Morning: visit to a maritime technology company. Afternoon: visit to the chartering desk of a major Chinese operator. Evening: closing dinner.
Departure
Departures. Optional morning activity, at a cost, for those flying out later in the day.
Delegation-specific events are subject to change. Timings for Shanghai Pudong International Shipping Week and UK Day are set by their organisers.
Included
Programme facilitation and bilingual accompaniment throughout · meetings and institutional access arranged in advance · ground transport · hosted meals as listed · VIP arrangements at Shanghai Pudong International Shipping Week.
Not included
International flights · hotel accommodation (CSAL will recommend a hotel for the group) · travel insurance · visa fees and personal expenses.
The relationship continues.
Contacts made during the week, whether at meetings, at events or through introductions, are passed to delegates where possible after the programme closes. Delegates are welcome to continue working with CSAL to coordinate follow-up meetings and introductions.