China's Shipbuilding Picks up Speed

China's shipbuilding sector has picked up speed, with economic performance, product quality and manufacturing capability improving rapidly. According to Asia Pulse via Yahoo!, the output value of the industry has been growing at an average annual rate of 26 percent in the 2000-2004 period. Since the 10th five-year plan period, the industry has realized 31 per cent growth in total output value and 35 per cent growth in sales revenue. At present 70 per cent of the vessels built will be exported. The industry has exported vessels to more than 110 countries, including the United states, Japan, Germany, France and Canada, with 2004 exports hitting 5.6 million deadweight tons, valued at US$3.16 billion. Of the orders in hand, 85 per cent are placed by foreign ship owners.