TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan has surged ahead of South Korea to become the world's second-largest semiconductor equipment market, according to a report released by SEMI (國際半導體產業協會) on Wednesday (Dec. 4). The report reveals Taiwan's semiconductor equipment shipments reached US$4.69 billion, surpassing South Korea's US$4.52 billion, highlighting a significant shift in the global semiconductor landscape.
The report also noted a robust growth in global semiconductor equipment shipments for the third quarter of 2024, totaling US$30.38 billion. This marks a 13% increase from the previous quarter and a 19% rise compared to the same period last year. SEMI attributes this strong growth to investments driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence and mature technology production.
SEMI emphasizes the growth in semiconductor equipment investments across several regions, aiming to enhance the chip manufacturing ecosystem. North America saw the largest increase, with third-quarter semiconductor equipment shipments reaching US$4.43 billion, a 77% increase from the same period last year. This indicates a strategic push to strengthen the region's semiconductor capabilities.
