Top 10 Companies in the Alloy Steel for Shipbuilding Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Maritime Infrastructure

In Business Insights
August 10, 2025

The Global Alloy Steel for Shipbuilding Market was valued at USD 6.8 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 9.2 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is driven by increasing shipbuilding activities, stringent maritime safety regulations, and rising demand for high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials in naval and commercial vessel construction.

As global trade volumes expand and environmental regulations tighten, shipbuilders increasingly rely on advanced alloy steels that offer superior performance in harsh marine environments. This report highlights the Top 10 Companies in the Alloy Steel for Shipbuilding Industry—steel producers that are setting industry standards through material innovation, global supply chains, and technical expertise.


🔟 1. Nippon Steel Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: NSGP® series, corrosion-resistant steels for LNG tanks

Nippon Steel leads in advanced alloy solutions for cryogenic applications, providing essential materials for LNG carriers and specialized vessels. Their proprietary NSGP steels demonstrate exceptional fracture toughness at temperatures as low as -196°C.

Technical Advancements:

  • Pioneered nickel-alloyed steels for membrane-type LNG containment systems
  • Developed world’s first 7% nickel steel for LNG storage (2014)
  • 40% market share in Japan’s shipbuilding steel sector

Download FREE Sample Report: Alloy Steel for Shipbuilding Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. POSCO

Headquarters: Pohang, South Korea
Key Offering: PosMAC (magnesium alloy coated steel), high-Mn steel

POSCO’s advanced alloy steels are preferred by major Korean shipbuilders, with PosMAC technology providing 10× better corrosion resistance than conventional coatings and significantly extending hull life.

Technical Advancements:

  • Commercialized high-Mn austenitic steel (22% Mn) for cryogenic service
  • Operates dedicated shipbuilding steel research center in Gwangyang
  • Supplies 60% of South Korea’s shipbuilding steel demand

8️⃣ 3. ArcelorMittal

Headquarters: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Key Offering: Marine-grade alloys (AH36/DH36/EH36)

The world’s largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal dominates with specialized marine alloys meeting DNV, ABS, and LR certifications, widely used in container ships and offshore platforms.

Technical Advancements:

  • Developed Thermo-Mechanical Controlled Processing (TMCP) technology
  • Achieved 690 MPa yield strength for ultra-large container vessels
  • 35% reduction in CO2 emissions per ton of steel since 2008

7️⃣ 4. China Baowu Steel Group

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: Marine-grade plates, shipbuilding sections

As China’s top steel producer, Baowu supplies over 50% of domestic shipbuilders’ alloy steel needs, with products consistently meeting stringent IACS standards.

Technical Advancements:

  • Mass production of 9% nickel steel for LNG carriers (2021)
  • Operates Asia’s most advanced ship plate continuous casting line
  • 40% share in China’s shipbuilding steel market

Download FREE Sample Report: Alloy Steel for Shipbuilding Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. JFE Steel Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: JFE-HITEN series, EH40/47 plates

JFE Steel supplies 25% of Japan’s shipbuilding steel, specializing in alloys for ice-class vessels with proprietary JFE-EWEL® welding technology.

Technical Advancements:

  • Developed world’s first 1000 MPa-class steel for offshore structures
  • Introduced CO2-reduced “Eco Products” line in 2022
  • 30% lighter weight solutions for bulk carriers

5️⃣ 6. Tata Steel

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Marine plates, specialized offshore steels

Tata Steel produces high-quality shipbuilding alloys in Europe while expanding its Indian operations to serve growing regional demand with excellent CTOD properties.

Technical Advancements:

  • Developed IND-Hull 650 for Indian Navy warships
  • Pioneering hydrogen-based “Green Steel” production
  • 35% market share in India’s naval shipbuilding sector

4️⃣ 7. SSAB

Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
Key Offering: Strenx® performance steel, wear-resistant alloys

SSAB’s high-strength steels enable lighter ship structures without compromising safety, certified by all major classification societies.

Technical Advancements:

  • Pioneered fossil-free steel production (HYBRIT technology)
  • Supplied steel for Polar-class research vessels
  • 50% weight reduction in structural components

3️⃣ 8. HBIS Group

Headquarters: Shijiazhuang, China
Key Offering: High-strength plates for megaships

HBIS supplies Chinese shipyards building ultra-large vessels with precise micro-alloy control of elements like Nb and V for Pacific Ocean conditions.

Technical Advancements:

  • Supplied steel for China’s first large cruise ship (2023)
  • Developed container ship steel with 15% weight reduction
  • 25% market share in Chinese commercial shipbuilding

Download FREE Sample Report: Alloy Steel for Shipbuilding Market – View in Detailed Research Report


2️⃣ 9. Voestalpine

Headquarters: Linz, Austria
Key Offering: Special alloy grades, corrosion-resistant steels

Voestalpine provides premium solutions for European shipbuilders, particularly for chemical tankers, with R&D focused on extended service life.

Technical Advancements:

  • Developed duplex stainless steels for LNG fuel tanks
  • Leading supplier of high-Mo alloys for offshore applications
  • 40% longer service life in aggressive environments

1️⃣ 10. United States Steel Corporation

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Navy shipbuilding steel, high-toughness plates

U.S. Steel remains the primary alloy supplier for American shipbuilders, meeting stringent MIL-S specifications for naval applications.

Technical Advancements:

  • Proprietary steel chemistries for submarine hulls
  • Investing $3 billion in sustainable steelmaking infrastructure
  • 80% share in U.S. naval shipbuilding materials

Get Full Report Here: Alloy Steel for Shipbuilding Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌊 Outlook: The Future of Shipbuilding Steel is Stronger and Smarter

The alloy steel market for shipbuilding is transforming through digitalization, environmental regulations, and advanced materials for next-generation vessels.

📈 Key Market Trends:

  • Adoption of higher-strength steels (690+ MPa yield strength)
  • Development of nickel-alloyed steels for cryogenic fuel storage
  • Focus on corrosion-resistant coatings and treatments
  • Transition toward low-carbon steel production methods
  • Digital twin technology for material performance simulation

Get Full Report Here: Alloy Steel for Shipbuilding Market – View in Detailed Research Report