Shipbuilding

Shipbuilding has resurfaced as a key facet of great power competition. CSIS provides expert analysis—drawing on open-source research, industry engagement, and geospatial tools—to track U.S., allied, and adversary shipbuilding and help policymakers ensure the future of U.S. maritime leadership in a contested global environment.

Photo: MATTHEW WEINBERGER/DVIDS

Photo: MATTHEW WEINBERGER/DVIDS

Outlining the Challenges to U.S. Naval Shipbuilding

The U.S. naval shipbuilding enterprise struggles to produce ships at the scale and speed demanded despite being a bipartisan priority for successive administrations and Congress. The White House must tackle complex, longstanding challenges to improve shipbuilding capacity.

Report by Seamus P. Daniels, Henry H. Carroll, Cynthia R. Cook, Oliver Buntin, and Sarah O’Rourke — December 16, 2025

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Matthew P. Funaiole

Matthew P. Funaiole

Vice President, iDeas Lab, Andreas C. Dracopoulos Chair in Innovation and Senior Fellow, China Power Project
Brian Hart

Brian Hart

Deputy Director and Fellow, China Power Project

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Outlining the Challenges to U.S. Naval Shipbuilding

The U.S. naval shipbuilding enterprise struggles to produce ships at the scale and speed demanded despite being a bipartisan priority for successive administrations and Congress. The White House must tackle complex, longstanding challenges to improve shipbuilding capacity.

Report by Seamus P. Daniels, Henry H. Carroll, Cynthia R. Cook, Oliver Buntin, and Sarah O’Rourke — December 16, 2025

U.S. Policies Only Temporarily Shake China's Shipbuilding Dominance

New U.S. policies aimed at curtailing China’s growing dominance over global shipbuilding went into effect on October 14. The rollout of these measures over the past year triggered temporary volatility in international ship ordering behavior but has not yet produced lasting change in China’s market position.

Analysis by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — October 16, 2025

Are U.S. Policies Eroding China’s Dominance in Shipbuilding?

Washington is ramping up efforts to challenge China’s dominance in global shipbuilding, but newly analyzed data shows shipping companies are still turning to Chinese yards despite looming U.S. penalties.

Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — September 24, 2025

Identifying Pathways for U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation with Northeast Asian Allies

U.S. naval shipbuilding faces production and capacity constraints that undermine fleet readiness. Closer cooperation with allies like Japan and South Korea on ship construction and repair could help counter China’s maritime threat and bolster U.S. industrial resilience.

Brief by Henry H. Carroll and Cynthia R. Cook — May 15, 2025

Murky Waters: Navigating the Risks of China’s Dual-Use Shipyards

China’s booming dual-use shipyards are accelerating its rapid naval buildup. This Hidden Reach investigation demystifies China’s murky shipbuilding ecosystem and explores the role foreign firms play in supporting it.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — March 25, 2025

Ship Wars: Confronting China’s Dual-Use Shipbuilding Empire

China is leveraging its globally dominant commercial shipbuilding industry to support its naval modernization—and foreign companies are inadvertently helping. This report outlines how the United States and its partners can confront China's dual-use shipyards.

Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — March 11, 2025