The shipbuilding industry is a strategic sector for OECD economies, given its close links to maritime transport, seaborne trade and resilient supply chains. There is growing recognition of the critical importance of the shipbuilding value chain, with investment attractiveness, innovation, and the adoption of new technologies increasingly viewed as key drivers of competitiveness and productivity.
At the same time, the sector is undergoing rapid transformation. Investments in shipyard modernisation are strengthening industrial capabilities, while expanding policy support measures have the potential to reshape future competitive dynamics. These developments are also influencing the global level playing field, altering market conditions in ways that may create both new opportunities and new challenges.
This workshop will examine how shipbuilders, policymakers, technology providers and maritime stakeholders can move from innovation to implementation in an increasingly complex global environment. Particular attention will be given to the investments, capabilities and policy frameworks required to modernise shipyards, accelerate technology adoption and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the shipbuilding value chain.
The workshop will focus on two key questions:
- Which emerging technologies and innovation pathways show greatest potential to advance shipyard modernisation and accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies in shipbuilding, and what investments are needed to support their implementation?
- Which factors, particularly policy-related factors, influence investment decisions in shipyards in OECD economies?
By bringing together shipbuilders, industry stakeholders, researchers and government representatives, the workshop will explore how innovation can be translated into practical application. It will identify lessons learned, common challenges and policy insights that can support productivity, competitiveness and resilience across the global shipbuilding industry.
