Around 38% of Chinese yards have failed to win a single new contract in 2012 and about 10% of Chinese have no orders for delivery beyond 2012, says ICAP Shipping Research.
However, more than 90% of Korean shipbuilders have scheduled deliveries beyond 2013, according to ICAP.
James Leake, managing director of the company, said "There is a real chance now that a significant number of yards will close from lack of orders."
"38% of Chinese yards, for example, have not had a contract placed in 2012 and 10% have no scheduled deliveries for beyond the end of 2012."
"Ironically the most positive prospect facing the shipping markets in 2013 is that ship finance conditions are unlikely to improve significantly, and with it new contracting activity is likely to remain modest," he added.