In January 2021, the world fleet reached a carrying capacity of 2.1 billion dwt, 63 million dwt more than the previous year. Over recent years, tonnage has increased considerably in all segments except general cargo carriers. Bulk carriers recorded an especially rapid increase. Between 2011 and 2021, their share in total carrying capacity rose from 39 to 43 per cent, whereas the share of oil tankers shrank from 31 to 29 per cent, and the share of general cargo from 6 to 4 per cent.

Shipbuilding and recycling

In 2020, global shipbuilding was concentrated in China, the Republic of Korea and Japan. These three economies accounted for 94 per cent of shipbuilding in terms of gross tonnage. In ship recycling, Bangladesh and India jointly accounted for 71 per cent and Pakistan for an additional 17 per cent.