China's shipbuilding industry has made significant strides in technological innovation, focusing on eco-friendly vessels that have strengthened its global leadership and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industry.
Researchers at the LNG Technology Research Institute of Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), are pioneering cutting-edge technologies for green vessels to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly shipbuilding.
"We are focusing on green and smart technologies. In the near future, we will launch new ship designs, including more eco-friendly vessels powered by green energy sources, such as liquid hydrogen, liquid ammonia, and liquid carbon dioxide, which will help reduce emissions and open new market opportunities," said Wang Lei, head of the LNG technology research institute of Hudong-Zhonghua.
As the global shipbuilding industry faces intensifying competition and shifting environmental regulations, Chinese shipbuilders are accelerating their technological innovation to stay ahead of the curve.
"We have the necessary technologies in place and can swiftly begin development once we receive orders for these types of vessels. We already hold certification from classification societies, and our research and development for vessels powered by liquid hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon dioxide are now ready for market release," Wang added.
In 2024, China's share of green ship orders reached 78.5 percent globally, covering all major vessel types, underscoring the country's dominance in the sector.
China's shipbuilding sector maintained its global leadership in 2024, ranking first for the 15th consecutive year in completed shipbuilding volume, new orders, and orders on hand, accounting for 55.7 percent, 74.1 percent, and 63.1 percent of the global total, respectively, data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed on Tuesday.
China's shipbuilding industry charts new course with eco-friendly vessels
Iran on Monday publicly rejected a core U.S. demand to cease all uranium enrichment, while projecting a dual-track strategy of guarded diplomatic engagement and reinforced military preparedness.
The moves came as the indirect Iran-US talks in Oman's Muscat last week yielded no breakthrough and regional tensions continued to simmer.
On Monday, Mohammad Eslami, president of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said that while Iran could consider diluting its 60-percent enriched uranium, it would only do so if all international sanctions were first lifted.
Eslami also dismissed past proposals to ship the material abroad for safekeeping.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi echoed this line on Monday, reaffirming Tehran's strategy of engaging in talks while refusing to concede on what Iran views as sovereign rights.
Pezeshkian and Araghchi have described the Muscat talks as a "good start" but warned that diplomacy must be based on "respect, not coercion."
In a televised speech on Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged Iranians to show unity and "disappoint the enemy" ahead of the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, amid rising tensions with the United States.
Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, is set to lead a delegation to visit mediator Oman on Tuesday.
Simultaneously, Iran has signaled a shift toward greater military opacity. Iran's state news agency IRNA said in a report on Sunday that the Defense Ministry has halted all public displays of new weaponry "for security reasons and to safeguard the principle of surprise," a move widely interpreted as preparing for potential conflict.
Positions from the United States and Israel have appeared equally firm. A report on Sunday by Israel's Channel 15 said the United States had privately messaged Iran, seeking Iran's "concessions" in the next round of talks, and expecting "serious and meaningful content."
On Monday, The Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli defense officials, reported that Israel has warned the U.S. it "will strike alone" if Iran crosses its "red lines" on ballistic missiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday that he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb 11 in Washington, and will discuss the U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Netanyahu is expected to demand that the U.S. promote the transfer of Iran's enriched uranium out of the country and restrict Iran's ballistic missile capabilities.
Iran rejects zero enrichment, projects dual-track posture amid stalled talks with U.S.
