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Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Shipbuilding / Vessel Construction

Shipbuilding is the construction of ships, which takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, are workers which specialize in vessel construction and repair. The construction of boats is called boat building. Due to the smaller size and scope of the vessels being produced, boats do not necessarily require the full services of a shipyard but may be built in a boatyard or even smaller private facility.

Block construction is a modern shipbuilding method which involves the assembly of prefabricated sections. Cross-sections of the superstructure are pre-built in a shipyard, taken to the building dock (or slipway,) and then hoisted into position and attached. Some of the more equipped shipyards are able to build equipment and utilities into the blocks, pre-installing pipes, plumbing, and electrical cables. The more components that can be built into the blocks before final assembly, the less effort required once the hull is welded together.

Since the 40s, modern ships have been made of welded steel. The first ships produced by this method had problems with inadequate fracture toughness, which let to rare but devastating structural cracks. The development of specialized steel in the 50s has largely eliminated the problem of brittle fracture, although there are still instances due to the unregulated use of grade A and B steel. This problem seems to result when steel with unknown toughness or FATT (fracture appearance transition temperature) is used in side shells. Despite these occasional incidents, most problems with brittle fractures seem to have been eliminated my modern methods and regulation.

Depending on design and materials, vessels reach a point in their lifespan where refitting and repair become impractical or impossible. The demolition of ships is called ship breaking- a process designed to allow materials and components to be reused and recycled. Equipment can often be reused in other ships, and metals (particularly steel) are separated for scrap recycling, with the hulls being discarded in ship graveyards.

Tags: shipbuilding Vessel Construction

One of the Chesapeake Shipbuilding newbuild cruise ships under construction (Credit: Chesapeake Shipbuilding)

Kongsberg to Supply Stabilizers for Chesapeake’s Cruise Ship Newbuilds

Kongsberg Maritime has strengthened its 15-year partnership with Chesapeake Shipbuilding…

Christening and Launch Ceremony of KEYAKI.
Image courtesy Mitsubishi Shipbuilding

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Christens Car Ferry KEYAKI

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding christened and launched the first of two large car ferries…

The M/V David North is boat number 10 of 10 built for Ingram Marine Group. Image courtesy Main Iron Works

Main Iron Works Delivers 10th Vessel for Ingram Marine Group

Benny Cenac Jr.’s Houma based Main Iron Works Company has completed the 10th boat…

Operators of hulking car carriers are seeking relief from the U.S. Trade Representative's surprise plan to levy port fees on all foreign-built ships in that segment. Credit: Adobe Stock/hit1912

Vehicle Carriers Seek Relief from USTR Port Fees

Operators of hulking car carriers are seeking relief from the U.S. Trade Representative's…

(Credit: Marinetrans)

Black & Veatch Hires Norwegian Logistics Firm for Two FLNG Projects

Marinetrans, a Norway-based logistics specialist for the maritime and offshore industries…

The Office of the United States Trade Representative issued a detailed notice on April 17, 2025, regarding actions and proposed actions in response to China's alleged targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. Credit: Adobe Stock/Kristina Blokhin

USTR: New Measures Target Chinese Maritime Sector

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) issued a detailed notice on April 17…

Image courtesy TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd.

Japan’s First Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Tugboat Launched

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding launched Japan’s first tugboat to be equipped with a hydrogen…

Image courtesy TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING

Methanol-Fueled Container Vessel Takes Shape in Chinese Shipyard

Japan's Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said the Tsuneishi Group (Zhoushan) Shipbuilding Inc.

© Zenstratus / Adobe Stock

US Waters Down China Ship Fee Plans, COSCO Remains Indignant

On April 17, the Trump administration shielded domestic exporters and vessel owners…

Marauder is a 150-foot MUSV purpose-built to support a wide range of missions for the U.S., its allies, and commercial customers. With a payload capacity of 40 metric tons, the autonomous ship is designed to travel up to 3,500 nautical miles or loiter for 30+ days, depending on mission requirements. Marauder will provide a comprehensive capability at a fraction of the cost of legacy manned solutions. Image courtesy Saronic

Saronic buys Gulf Craft Shipyard to Fast-Track Autonomous Shipbuilding

Saronic accelerates its growth into autonomous shipbuilding with the acquisition of Gulf Craft…

The U.S. Trade office will this week announce its plan for levying port fees on China-linked ships. Credit: Adobe Stock/JHVEPhoto

Global Shippers Await Word on US Port Fees for China-Linked Vessels

The U.S. Trade office will this week announce its plan for levying port fees on China…

Arc Expands Into the Commercial Sector With Electric Tugboat Retrofit

Arc Boat Company announced its entrance into the commercial sector. In partnership…

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