A total of 93 ordinary commercial ships, namely bulkers, containerships and tankers (including options) were contracted around the world in April.
South Korean shipbuilders took 43 ships of them, just ahead of Chinese rivals which won 40-ship orders.
According to data from Clarksons and industry sources, 55 bulkers, 24 containerships and 14 tankers were ordered last month.
As for bulkers, 39 ships were under 61,000 dwt, eight between 76,000-87,000 dwt and eight over 176,000 dwt.
14 containerships between 1,700-2,800 teu were booked and 10 were in the 4,800-6,700 teu range.
April tanker orders consisted of four handies, seven (one plus two deal and two plus two contract) suezmax shuttle tankers and three VLCCs.
High value-added shuttle tanker orders were all contracted at South Korean yards, Hyundai Heavy Industries and STX Offshore & Shipbuilding.
Three VLCCs went to Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (1) and Jinhai Heavy Industry (2).
Korean shipyards Hyundai, STX O&S, Samjin Shipbuilding Industries, SPP Shipbuilding and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard won 24 bulkers, 12 boxships, seven tankers.
Chinese including CSIC Tianjin, Shanghai Jinagnan and SWS won 23 bulkers, 10 boxships and seven tankers.
Japan's Universal Shipbuilding and Imabari Shipbuilding won eight small and midsize bulker orders while Taiwan's CSBC booked 1,800TEU pair.