SHIP FINANCE
Chinese leasing houses have played an increasingly significant role in the global ship finance market over the past decade. Today, there are over 80 leasing houses in China offering ship finance, with 39 of them, by our count, providing financing in US Dollars. As an experienced financial advisor, HIT Marine works with all Chinese leasing houses actively pursuing transaction opportunities. We guide shipowners through every step of structuring financial or operating leases, starting from identifying the right counterpart to facilitating termsheet negotiations and contract signing.
Email: shipfinance@hitco.com.cn
NEWBUILDING
With China accounting for 75%+ of the global newbuilding orderbook, thousands of newbuilding orders have been placed at Chinese shipyards in recent years. Capitalizing on this market, HIT Marine offers newbuilding brokerage services to shipowners looking to build vessels in China. Over the past two decades, we have successfully concluded more than 100 newbuilding transactions across diverse segments, including bulk carriers, feeder containerships, multi-purpose vessels, crude and product tankers, as well as offshore vessels.
Email: newbuilding@hitco.com.cn
SHIP INVESTMENT
In recent years, private and institutional investors in China and Southeast Asia have shown growing interest in shipping investments. Leveraging its deep expertise in shipping cycles, HIT Marine supports clients in identifying lucrative ship investment opportunities through sale-and-leaseback brokerage services and comprehensive market analysis. Its expertise spans the dry bulk carrier, product and chemical tanker, and MPP/heavy lift carrier sectors. In addition, HIT Marine occasionally contributes direct equity to carefully selected projects.
Email: snp@hitco.com.cn
ABOUT US
Founded in 2001 by Dr. Li Sheng, HIT Marine is a boutique shipbroking firm specializing in newbuilding brokerage and financial advisory services, with a primary focus on Chinese leasing solutions. Headquartered in Shanghai with a branch office in Singapore, the firm is deeply rooted in Asia while maintaining a global perspective in its operations. Backed by a high-caliber team with extensive shipping expertise, HIT Marine delivers exceptional service to clients worldwide.
NEWS AND PRESENTATIONS
A strong comeback of Chinese Leasing
November 2026
Chinese leasing has demonstrated remarkable resilience in recovering from the setback caused by the USTR's Section 301 measures. Join our Managing Partner of Ship Finance, Mr. Berlin Li, in his latest presentation at Marine Money, where he examines the strong comeback of Chinese leasing, its latest developments and key competitive strengths, as well as its near-term outlook.
Speaking at the Tradewinds Shipowners Forum
March 2026
Our Managing Partner of Ship Finance, Mr. Berlin Li, was invited to speak at the recently concluded Tradewinds Shipowners Forum in Shanghai, where he shared his insights on the growth and challenges faced by Chinese leasing in recent years. His comment, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,” was quoted by Tradewinds. Please click here to read the full news article.
Presentation at Marine Money Shanghai
November 2024
Join our Managing Partner of Ship Finance, Mr. Berlin Li, at the Marine Money event in Shanghai on November 6, 2024, as he presents an expert analysis of the Chinese leasing market's development and outlook. His session will provide key insights into current market trends, growth drivers, and China's distinctive competitive advantages in global ship finance.
Panel Moderation at Capital Link Shanghai
October 2026
Chinese lessors roll out the red carpet for shipping's biggest names — our Managing Partner of Ship Finance, Mr. Berlin Li, moderated the panel discussion at Capital Link with Ahmed Al Shukaili of Asyad Shipping; Maximilian Otto of IG Capital; Gautam Khurana of Precious Shipping; Stavros Gyftakis of Seanergy Maritime Holdings; and Philip Leopold, Vice President of SPM Energy Shipping.
Intreview Advantage Tankers CFO at Marine Money
November 2025
Join our Managing Partner of Ship Finance, Mr. Berlin Li, for his informative interview with Mr. Mehmet Mat, CFO of Advantage Tankers, at the Marine Money event in Shanghai. In this Interview, they delve into Advantage Tankers' growth journey, specifically examining the critical support of Chinese leasing and providing a balanced analysis of its key advantages and challenges .
Interviewed by Shipping & Finance in Greece
October 2024
Mr. Berlin Li was invited to deliver a presentation on the Chinese leasing market at the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade, and Finance—the very institution from which he earned a distinguished master's degree in 2012. His insights at this prestigious event also garnered an exclusive interview with Greece's Shipping & Finance newspaper.
MARKET
ClarkSea Vs. China Newbuilidng Price Index (CNPI)
Published by Clarksons, ClarkSea Index measures average earnings accross all vessel sectors. In August 2016, ClarkSea Indext touched bottom since 1990 with average earnings accross all vessel sectors dipping to USD 7,364 per day. China Newbuilding Price Index (CNPI), assessed and compliled by a panel consisting of 21 international and local broker houses primarily focused on China's Newbuilding market, also reached its historical low around that period of time.
Growth of China Leasing
Market
As of 2026, the number of leasing houses offering US Dollar ship finance has risen to 39 (up from 31 in 2024), while those with exposure to non-Chinese shipowners increased to 27. Additionally, 29 companies are now actively pursuing transactions with non-Chinese shipowners. Notably, 23 of these leasing houses are backed by financial institutions, which typically means lower funding costs but tighter regulatory constraints. Overall, the statistics demonstrate an expanding market with a strong focus on international, non-Chinese shipping exposure and increased institutional support.
Comfortable Margin Levels
Of the 27 Chinese lessors with shipping portfolios involving non-Chinese shipowners, 12 are highly competitive, offering margins of 150–180 basis points (bps) and occasionally even lower — putting them on par with some Western banks. Competition is largely concentrated in the 150–220 bps range. At the higher end, only two lessors target margins above 250 bps (specifically 250–300 bps).
