# South Korean yards defend VLAC pricing as China grabs berths in 2026

*Chinese shipbuilders secured 26 of 40 global very large ammonia carrier orders through July, taking a 65% share while Korean builders pushed deliveries to 2030 at premium contract rates.*

**Published:** November 3, 2026  
**By:** Hyun-jung Lee  
**Section:** Shipbuilding & Defense — South Korea  
**Format:** Asia Compare  
**Confidence:** medium  
**Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/shipbuilding/south-korean-yards-defend-vlac-pricing-china-grabs-berths-1099  
**Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/)

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## What to know

- Chinese shipyards captured 26 of 40 global VLAC orders through July 2026
- HD Hyundai Samho holds 22 ammonia carrier orders valued at $2.55 billion
- Deliveries for the newest Korean and Chinese contracts extend to May 2030

![A row of newly constructed gas carriers sits along the docks of a South Korean shipyard beneath industrial cranes. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-11-03-1e87f0b5bba8.webp)
*A row of newly constructed gas carriers sits along the docks of a South Korean shipyard beneath industrial cranes. (AI-generated image)*

Qatar Gas Transport Company named nine newly built gas carriers at South Korean shipyards on Nov. 3, 2026, demonstrating delivery execution as Chinese rivals aggressively expand order backlogs.

Chinese shipyards secured 26 of 40 global very large ammonia carrier orders between January and July 2026. That performance gave Chinese builders a 65% share of new vessel contracts.

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Cite as: East Asia Brief, "South Korean yards defend VLAC pricing as China grabs berths in 2026," November 3, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/shipbuilding/south-korean-yards-defend-vlac-pricing-china-grabs-berths-1099