According to a study by Shanghai-based Smarine advisors and published by Tradewinds, the top 10 leasing companies in China are expected to lend $11.5 billion in the ship finance industry in 2016, with $5.1 billion in newbuildings and $6.4 billion in used sale/leaseback transactions.

Tradewinds said the study indicated that ship finance is driving the exponential growth of China’s leasing industry.

The Smarine study was based upon information provided by the largest Chinese ship finance companies, including ICBC Leasing, Bank of Communications Financial Leasing, Minsheng Financial Leasing, China Merchants Bank Leasing, China Development Bank, AVIC Leasing, CSSC Shipping, CIMC Leasing, China Construction Bank Leasing and CMI Leasing.