It is estimated that South Korean shipbuilding industry had the largest orders contracted in February, since August 2011.
According to Clarkson, Korean shipbuilders contracted a total of 29 vessels (0.96m cgt) of $3.3bn in February, way ahead of Chinese yards which won overall 12 vessels (0.28m ct) of $250m.
Korean yards seemed depressed with only $500m new order contracted in January, however, it turned around to recovery with contract value soaring last month.
During the same month, Samsung Heavy Industries inked two drillships and two LNG carriers, Hyundai HI booked one LNG-FSRU, four LNGCs and STX Offshore & Shipbuilding two LNGCs, six MR tankers, etc.
Also, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard won new orders for five MR tankers, two LPG carriers and SPP Shipbuilding five MR tankers, etc.
On the other hand, Chinese builders still remained stagnant, having contracted $160m in January and $250m in February.
Last month Korea took 43.1% and China 12.7% of global new orders, in cgt terms.
Meanwhile, Korea recorded 0.87m cgt (31 vessels) of newbuilding delivery last month and took back the first place in ten months since April 2011 from China, which delivered 0.65m cgt (32 vessels).
Orderbook as of the end of February, China secured 42.22m cgt (2,392 vessels) and Korea 35.9m cgt (1,089). The gap between them is getting narrower.