STRENGHTEN THE YARDS

The project will explore new business models, knowledge, competencies, and technologies for future application by shipyards, emphasizing the use of digital tools

Project time period — 2023 - 2024

Lead — SINTEF Nordvest

Partners — GCE Blue Maritime Cluster, NCE iKuben

Total Budget — 250.000 NOK

Funding — Regionalt Forskningsfond (RFF)

The project "Styrk Verfta" aims to bolster the competitive edge of Norwegian shipyards in the rapidly evolving global shipbuilding market. It focuses on enhancing knowledge and skills to reinforce competitiveness, developing routines and methodologies for implementing new sustainable and circular value chains, and crafting realistic strategies for increased digital tool usage to streamline shipbuilding processes.

Historically, the shipyards in Norway have been hubs of maritime innovation, technology development, and creativity. However, they now face challenges in maintaining profitability and competitiveness due to rising raw material and labor costs, and the necessity to upgrade facilities to meet technological advances and customer demands. The project addresses these challenges by fostering the development of new technologies, products, and services, and by enhancing collaboration with partners and customers to ensure a profitable and sustainable future.

Planned activities include one-on-one meetings with shipyard representatives, workshops, seminars, and mobilizing a regional consortium, leading to an application for a larger project under the Research Council of Norway. The project benefits society and industries by ensuring the sustainability of the regional maritime cluster, contributing significantly to export revenues, and innovating within the green and digital shifts.

Future development of the main project will involve regional shipyards, cluster businesses, knowledge and interest communities, and the public sector, aiming to enhance the region's shipbuilding industry's resilience and innovation capacity.