According to Clarkson Research Services, South Korean yards won orders to build six ships, totaling 340,000CTG, more than half of the orders placed in June. Chinese yards won orders to build seven ships, totaling 240,000CGT, and Japan won orders to build five ships, totaling 90,000CGT.

In the first half of the year, South Korean shipbuilders secured orders totaling 3.17 million CGTs in 69 vessels for a 31 percent market share, the data showed. China topped the list with 4.32 million CGTs, or 176 ships, for 42 percent of the market, the data showed.

South Korean yards have had a strong focus on LNG carriers, winning over 80 percent of global orders in recent years, according to Yonhap news agency. For example, Samsung Heavy Industries announced in June that it received an order for two LNG carriers, bringing its 2019 order total to 11 vessels worth $3 billion consisting of 10 LNG carriers and one FPSO. The yard's orders for 2018 reached 49 vessels - including 18 LNG carriers, 13 container ships, 15 tankers and three special purpose ships. 

Also in June, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) won an order for an LNG carrier from Greek shipping company Maran Gas Maritime, and the companies are in discussion for more. DSME's orders this year include 15 vessels, six of which are LNG carriers.

Vira Maritime