One of the largest ever orders for container ships won by Chinese yards was awarded this week, confirming China’s challenge of South Korea’s lead in the boxship sector. Large orders also won by Chinese yards for bulk carriers including vessels with LNG dual-fuel systems. South Korean yards were again successful in winning gas carrier orders, a sector which a new study shows Korea has dominated so far this year. Two major Asian yard groups reported strong profits in the first quarter of 2021, but for some earnings are still below pre-pandemic levels.