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While OECD countries account for over 75% of the world shipbuilding production, a number of non-OECD economies have engaged in, or stepped up, shipbuilding activities over the last decade. Some non-OECD economies now hold a sizeable share in the world shipbuilding market and are most likely to increase it further. China is already the third largest producer, and its output is greater than the combined production of all members of the European Union.
Given the international character of the shipbuilding business, i.e. the fact that all shipbuilders compete on the same world market, the sharing of knowledge concerning the developments and government policies are a useful parameter not only for OECD Member countries but also for non-OECD economies as well as industry.
Croatia, Romania and the Russian Federation already hold formal Observer status, and participate in all meetings and work activities of the Working Party.
The last formal activity with non-OECD economies undertaken by the Council Working Party on Shipbuilding was a Workshop held in December 2006, which focused on recent changes to the policy landscape as well as examined future prospects for the shipbuilding industry. Copies of documents and presentations are available here.
A brief information sheet on the activities of the Council Working Party on Shipbuilding, with particular emphasis on its co-operation with its non-OECD partners, can be found here.
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