Are shipyards short-sighted? Why shipping needs to change focus for a sustainable future

Are shipyards short-sighted? Why shipping needs to change focus for a sustainable future
15/09/2020

Asbjørn Halsebakke, Director, Technical Solutions, Marine, Yaskawa Environmental Energy / The Switch, argues that shipyards, and the industry that supports them, must shift away from a blinkered approach to CAPEX. By expanding our horizons beyond cost, and considering benefits and value, he says, all of shipping’s stakeholders can reap huge rewards.

It’s difficult to break established patterns of behavior. Once something becomes the norm it is accepted and viewed as “conventional wisdom,” even when it’s not in the slightest bit smart.

And that’s what has happened with shipbuilding.

There’s always, ALWAYS, a focus on CAPEX. What will this ship cost? Can we make it any cheaper? How does it compare to what I can get from Yard B? If we can save money, or undercut the competition, it’s surely good for business, yes?

In an industry where the smallest margins are seemingly a matter of (commercial) life and death, the race to the bottom continues to gather pace. But who will be the winners?

Before we address this, let me state for the record that I am not naïve. I understand that shipowners and yards feel a huge financial strain, especially now during this time of global disruption and associated economic pain. If you can save money you do. I mean why wouldn’t you?

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