TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese shipbuilding stocks soared Wednesday (Sept. 3) as investors anticipated massive defense spending on unmanned vessels following Taiwan's expanded military budget announcement. Jong Shyn Shipbuilding (中信造船) shares surged over 12% to NT$113 (around US$3.7), while CSBC Corporation (台船) and Lungteh Shipbuilding (龍德造船) hit daily trading limits. CSBC reached NT$20.6 (around US$0.67) with 15,000 buy orders, while Lungteh climbed to NT$158.5 (around US$5.2) with 3,000 unfulfilled purchase orders.
Taiwan's military announced a groundbreaking tender for 1,300 unmanned vessels, creating unprecedented opportunities for domestic shipbuilders to secure lucrative defense contracts. The landmark military budget allocates funds for unmanned vessel procurement for the first time in Taiwan's defense spending history. The military plans to acquire 1,320 suicide drones, with each unit estimated to cost at least NT$10 million (around US$326,000), representing a massive investment in autonomous defense technology.
CSBC Corporation plans to unveil its cutting-edge unmanned vessel, the Endeavor Manta (奮進魔鬼魚號), on Sept. 18 at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (台北國際航太暨國防工業展). This strategic showcase aims to demonstrate the company's technological advancements and establish its position as a leading defense contractor. Jong Shyn Shipbuilding and Lungteh Shipbuilding are simultaneously ramping up production capacities to meet anticipated unmanned vessel demand. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.7)