The global shipping industry is experiencing a new building revival. As sustainability regulations tighten, international trade routes evolve, and shipping technologies modernise, shipowners across Europe, Africa, and the Americas are placing orders for more advanced, efficient, and specialised vessels.
But who is driving this surge? And how are shipowners ensuring cost-effective delivery without compromising on build quality?
This article offers an in-depth look at the top shipowners ordering newbuilds in 2025, the strategic motivations behind these investments, and the critical role that professional ship new building supervision and project management, as offered by Risk Design International Ltd, play in the successful delivery of these assets.
The 2025 Shipbuilding Landscape: A Snapshot
A Market Rebounding from Supply Chain Disruptions
Following post-pandemic slowdowns, global shipyard capacity has stabilised and is now responding to increased demand. According to Clarkson Research (Q1 2025), global newbuilding orders are up 22% year-over-year, with a particular focus on:
- Methanol and LNG-fuelled vessels
- Container ships and car carriers
- Bulk carriers with carbon-capture readiness
- Offshore support vessels (OSVs) for energy projects in Africa and South America
This growth is not only in volume but also in vessel complexity, highlighting the critical need for experienced shipyard evaluation and site supervision team management.
Key Ship Types on Order in 2025 and Why They’re in Demand
| Ship Type | % of Total Orders (Est.) | Primary Drivers Behind Orders |
| LNG Carriers | 25% | Energy transition, rising Asian LNG demand, long-term charters |
| Container Ships | 20% | E-commerce growth, fleet renewal, and decarbonisation mandates |
| Tankers (Product/Crude) | 18% | Anticipated demand recovery, stricter environmental regulations |
| Bulk Carriers | 15% | Iron ore and grain trade recovery, stable charter rates |
| Car Carriers (PCTCs) | 10% | Surge in electric vehicle exports, OEM fleet partnerships |
| Offshore Wind Vessels | 7% | Growth in renewable energy infrastructure projects |
| Other Vessels | 5% | Includes cruise ships, Ro-Ro, multipurpose and support craft |
The Top Shipowners Ordering Newbuilds in 2025
1. Maersk Group (Denmark)
Primary Focus: Green methanol-fuelled container ships
Notable Orders: 10 dual-fuel 16,000 TEU vessels from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard
Maersk continues to lead on decarbonisation, targeting net-zero emissions by 2040. Their 2025 newbuilding strategy includes vessels that operate on green methanol, requiring precise engineering oversight and contract reviews—services that align with Risk Design International’s technical specification review offerings.
2. MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Japan)
Primary Focus: LNG-fuelled car carriers and bulkers
Notable Orders: 12 LNG-powered car carriers at Shin Kurushima Dockyard
Though based in Japan, MOL’s projects often involve European partners and shipyards. Cross-border collaboration and meticulous site supervision are crucial to meeting contractual expectations and preventing delays.
3. Stena Bulk (Sweden)
Primary Focus: Dual-fuel MR tankers with AI navigation systems
Notable Orders: 6 MR tankers from Guangzhou Shipyard
Stena’s investments reflect the growing trend of digital integration in shipbuilding.
4. MSC (Switzerland)
Primary Focus: Mega container ships and feeder vessels
Notable Orders: 8 x 24,000+ TEU ULCVs at CSSC, China
MSC is expanding aggressively into high-capacity vessels to strengthen its global logistics dominance. Projects of this scale require a strong supervision team with multifunctional skills to reduce overheads while maintaining tight timelines and safety benchmarks.
5. Ardmore Shipping (Ireland)
Primary Focus: Eco-design chemical tankers
Notable Orders: 4 newbuilds from Korean shipyards
Smaller operators, such as Ardmore, are also making targeted investments. They prioritise cost control and compliance with IMO regulations, making efficient newbuilding project management crucial.
Why 2025 Is a Critical Year for Shipowners
Environmental Compliance Deadlines
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has introduced stricter regulations in 2025, including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI). This has prompted a wave of orders for vessels that either comply with launch or are conversion-ready.
Geopolitical Shifts and Reshoring of Trade
From Red Sea disruptions to the reshoring of manufacturing in the Americas, trade routes are undergoing significant changes. Shipowners are diversifying fleets to serve shorter regional routes and to support offshore energy and critical minerals extraction in Africa and South America.
Financing and Green Bonds
Green financing is making it easier for shipowners to invest in compliant newbuilds. However, financial institutions now expect transparency, real-time reporting, and lower cost variability.
What Shipowners Should Look for in a Newbuilding Supervision Partner
Choosing a shipyard is only half the battle. The success of any newbuilding project often hinges on selecting the right supervision partner. This team can bridge the gap between contract and delivery, between design intent and technical execution.
Here are four key qualities shipowners should prioritise when selecting a supervision provider in 2025:
1. Multifunctional Expertise Across Disciplines
Newbuilds are more complex than ever, combining propulsion innovations, digital navigation systems, and advanced materials. Rather than hiring separate inspectors for every system, experienced supervision providers now deploy multifunctional surveyors who can effectively assess multiple trades.
This not only reduces costs but also speeds up decision-making on-site, thereby minimising the risk of delays or miscommunication across disciplines.
2. Experience with Alternative Fuels and Green Technologies
With dual-fuel, methanol, and battery-hybrid systems becoming mainstream, the supervision team must understand the unique compliance, testing, and commissioning standards these vessels demand.
From overseeing fuel containment systems to managing coordination with classification societies on green certification, a capable supervision partner must be familiar with the entire regulatory landscape.
3. Digital Transparency and Real-Time Updates
Gone are the days when monthly reports sufficed. Financiers, classification bodies, and shipowners increasingly demand real-time reporting, primarily when managing builds remotely or across multiple projects.
4. Agility and Communication
Shipbuilding is dynamic. Design changes, supplier issues, or regulatory updates can alter timelines and priorities. A good supervision partner must be responsive, adaptable, and communicative—capable of scaling the supervision team or adjusting the scope without slowing down the project.
That flexibility is particularly valuable for projects in regions like Africa or South America, where logistical challenges or shifting port requirements demand real-time responsiveness.
In summary
The right supervision partner helps shipowners build more than just ships—they help create certainty, control, and confidence in every stage of the project. By prioritising multifunctional expertise, digital visibility, green compliance knowledge, and agility, shipowners can significantly reduce risk and improve long-term return on investment (ROI).
Comparing Supervision Approaches: Traditional vs. Integrated Model
As shipowners face increasing complexity in vessel design, regulations, and project coordination, their approach to managing newbuilding supervision is evolving. Traditional supervision models—while familiar—often struggle to meet the speed, transparency, and cost-efficiency required in 2025.
The table below highlights the key differences between conventional approaches and the integrated supervision model employed by Risk Design International:
| Aspect | Traditional Supervision Model | Integrated Model (e.g. Risk Design International) |
| Team Composition | Separate inspectors per trade (welding, piping, electrical, etc.) | Multifunctional surveyors trained across disciplines |
| Reporting Method | Periodic reports, usually weekly/monthly via email or PDFs | Real-time updates via dedicated software |
| Cost Efficiency | Higher due to duplicated site roles, travel, and accommodations | Lower operational cost with leaner teams and remote monitoring |
| Flexibility | Harder to scale or downsize quickly during project phases | Agile team size adjustments based on build stage |
| Owner Visibility | Limited to periodic snapshots and offline data | Continuous access to visual progress, issues, and task tracking |
| Data for Financiers/Class Societies | Manual collation, delays in the audit trail | Transparent, timestamped logs with instant export capabilities |
| Issue Resolution Speed | Slower due to fragmented communication | Faster due to integrated updates and centralised alerts |
This comparison underscores why many shipowners, particularly those managing projects across multiple time zones or with limited internal technical resources, are shifting to digital-first, leaner supervision models.
By embracing an integrated approach, shipowners gain tighter control over project risk, delivery schedules, and total expenditure—key success factors in today’s demanding maritime environment.
Ship Conversions: An Overlooked Growth Sector
While new builds dominate the headlines, ship conversions—especially for offshore support vessels (OSVs) and tankers—are booming in 2025. Risk Design International is actively supporting clients converting:
- OSVs into Windfarm Support Vessels (WSVs)
- Tankers into floating storage units (FSUs)
- DP-class upgrades for African offshore projects
Conversions require just as much supervision as newbuilds, often more. Shipowners must ensure shipyard capability, review drawings, and avoid scope creep—an area where our ship new building project management expertise plays a vital role.
Regional Insights: Where Orders Are Coming From
Europe
European owners, especially in Scandinavia and the Mediterranean, are leading the green transition. Shipowners here are focused on hybrid propulsion, AI integration, and meeting EU ETS (Emission Trading Scheme) requirements.
Africa
Africa is seeing increased investment in:
- Offshore logistics vessels
- Coastal ferries
- Multipurpose cargo ships for minerals
African projects often require shipyards outside the continent and benefit from remote supervision to reduce costs and complexity.
Americas
North and South America are placing orders to support domestic manufacturing growth, offshore energy, and regional trade. Dual-fuel tugs, short-sea container feeders, and LNG bunkering barges are in high demand.
Risk Design International’s multilingual teams and global mobility make it ideal for cross-continental ship newbuilding supervision.
Scientific and Market Data to Watch International Shipping – IEA
According to IEA Maritime Report 2024:
- 70% of ships ordered in 2025 will be dual-fuel or alternative fuel-ready
- Green ship financing has increased by 35% YoY
- The global order book is 75% booked through 2027, highlighting the urgency for owners considering orders
Common Mistakes Shipowners Make When Ordering Newbuilds
- Overestimating Shipyard Capabilities
- Not all shipyards are ready for complex alternative fuel systems.
- Not all shipyards are ready for complex alternative fuel systems.
- Neglecting Supervision Budgets
- Skimping on supervision can lead to costly rework or delivery delays.
- Skimping on supervision can lead to costly rework or delivery delays.
- Failing to Review Technical Specifications Thoroughly
- A second technical opinion can prevent costly contractual oversights.
- A second technical opinion can prevent costly contractual oversights.
- Lack of Real-Time Oversight
- In 2025, static monthly reporting is no longer sufficient.
Each of these challenges can be mitigated with proper site supervision, team management, specification review, and real-time tracking—core services at Risk Design International.
Partnering for Smarter Shipbuilding
2025 is not just about ordering more ships—it’s about building the right vessels, at the right yard, under the right supervision.
The top shipowners placing newbuild orders this year are embracing digital tools, leaner supervision models, and greener propulsion technologies. However, even the most advanced designs can fail without effective oversight.
At Risk Design International Ltd, we provide ship new building supervision, technical reviews, site team management, and real-time project monitoring that give owners the clarity and control they need—whether you’re building in Europe, Africa, or the Americas.
Get in Touch
If you’re planning a new build, conversion, or want to evaluate your shipyard options, speak to us today. We move fast, simplify complexity, and deliver safely—without compromising quality.
