Automation in shipbuilding: opportunities, risks and the changing landscape for skilled workers

Automation is fundamentally changing shipbuilding – but it affects not only machinery and processes, but above all the people working in the shipyards. Which Opportunities and risks Find out which new job profiles are in demand and why the future of shipbuilding will remain hybrid: an overview for shipyards, employees and HR managers.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

What opportunities and risks does automation present in shipbuilding?

Automation brings with it many changes. These changes affect not only processes and machinery, but above all the people who work in the shipyards. This means that employees, works councils and company management alike face the challenge of managing this technological transformation both professionally and socially.

How is automation changing traditional craft trades?

There are a number of traditional occupations which, whilst not being replaced by automation, are certainly being transformed by it. Whilst welders, electronics technicians and mechanics remain indispensable, their roles will look different in the future.

Tomorrow’s skilled workers will be less likely to work with spanners and torches. Instead, they will increasingly be working at digital control consoles. They will monitor welding robots, CNC milling machines and all other systems. They will collect quality data in real time and analyse it immediately.

Tasks that used to take hours will in future be carried out by sensor-controlled assembly lines. These carry out the process with millimetre precision and at high speed. Skilled workers then check the result. They calibrate the system and optimise the process. To do this, they need technical knowledge and digital skills.

What new job roles are emerging in shipbuilding?

As a result of automation, roles such as mechatronics engineers, robotics engineers, software developers and data analysts are becoming increasingly important. They are needed to develop and control digital systems and automated processes.

Engineers design the digital twins that provide a virtual representation of entire ships. IT specialists create the interfaces between the design software, the manufacturing systems and logistics. Shipyards employ interdisciplinary teams who work with these systems. They combine maritime engineering with computer science and data analysis.

Our article explains in detail how these digital twins and connected manufacturing systems work Digitalisation in yacht and shipbuilding: smart ships and digital twins.

What are the risks facing traditional skilled trades?

For traditional craft trades, this shift poses risks: in particular, tasks that are constantly repetitive, place a heavy physical strain on the body or have adverse health effects are increasingly being taken over by machines. These include, for example, welding, grinding and cutting large steel plates. In many cases, robots can carry out these tasks more precisely and safely.

For the employees affected, this may mean that they have to undertake further training or retraining. If this does not happen, there is a twofold risk. For the employees, there is the risk of unemployment. For the companies, there is the risk of losing valuable specialist knowledge and a wealth of experience.

Even today, machines in a state-of-the-art shipyard carry out up to 40 % of what used to be manual welding work. For the employees affected, this means they have to change their areas of responsibility. Either they move into a different role, or they are „promoted“ to supervise the machinery that now carries out manual tasks.

The fact that physically demanding and safety-critical tasks such as welding are increasingly being carried out by robots also serves a protective purpose. You can read about the hazards associated with these tasks in the article Welding - dangers and risks.

Why is continuing professional development more important than ever?

Further training is no longer simply a means of improving qualifications and securing a higher salary. It can also be crucial to safeguarding one’s job. Lifelong learning has thus also reached the traditional trades. Companies must tailor their in-house training programmes accordingly and provide sufficient capacity.

What social responsibilities does this change entail?

Automation is not just a technological issue. It also brings with it social challenges. Employees do not want to lose their jobs overnight, nor do employers want to lose experienced staff. This means that both sides must pull together. Employers must support further training, and employees must take advantage of it. Only in this way can both sides keep up with the times and use this change to their advantage.

Trade unions and works councils are committed to supporting the introduction of new technologies in workplaces. In doing so, they are committed to ensuring that these new technologies lead to changes in job roles and, as far as possible, do not result in redundancies.

One of the measures is reflected in the collective agreement provisions. These agreements link further training to job security. In this way, they create an incentive for staff not simply to sit back and wait, but to take a proactive approach to their professional development. This enables them to learn how to use the new systems, secure their jobs and, potentially, earn a higher income.

Meanwhile, companies and their workforces are also collaborating more closely on digitalisation. This means that employees are actively involved in the digitalisation process. They receive targeted training programmes to ensure that their practical experience is retained and can be utilised in the automation of operational processes. Furthermore, employees can draw on this experience to steer digitalisation in the right direction.

What challenges are holding back automation?

Although automation can save costs in the long term, it requires a significant initial investment

Furthermore, there are technological hurdles. Not all processes and software solutions are as standardised as businesses would like. This means that significant adjustments are still required in this area, for example to integrate entire supply chains.

Furthermore, even the best digital systems require an infrastructure with fast and secure connections. Failures in this infrastructure can disrupt production processes and delay deliveries.

Acceptance is also an issue: not all staff members are open to change. This is understandable from a psychological perspective: employees have completed their training, settled into their roles and found their place in the team. They have gained a sense of security in their work. As a result of automation, they now have to adapt to new tasks. They have to learn anew and prove themselves once more. This takes time and can trigger feelings of uncertainty and a fear of making mistakes.

Why is the future of shipbuilding hybrid?

The future of shipbuilding lies in hybrid solutions. Companies are combining highly automated processes with a great deal of human expertise and experience. Whilst fully automated shipyards are a vision for the future, they are still a long way from reality. However, the more companies utilise robotics, AI and digital connectivity, the closer they get to realising this vision.

Automation can boost competitiveness, reduce costs and contribute to more sustainable production. Thanks to the precise assembly of these systems, ships are setting new standards in efficiency. However, this also means that LNG, hydrogen and battery technologies are becoming increasingly important in reducing emissions. This calls for new manufacturing processes that promote the integration of automation.

Added to this is the aspect of maritime strategy. Autonomous systems are also becoming increasingly important in this sector. This naturally leads to greater automation within the companies that manufacture these systems. In the case of military vessels, the desire for greater capability with a smaller crew can drive the development of autonomous systems. In manufacturing, digitally controlled machinery can simultaneously boost productivity.

Automation in shipbuilding began some time ago and is expanding into new areas every day. It shapes the entire value chain, from project planning right through to handover to the client.

Automation opens up opportunities through increased productivity, improved quality and greater competitiveness. However, this brings with it new demands on employees, their skills and the infrastructure.

Shipbuilding of the future will become increasingly digital and connected. Shipbuilding of the future will become increasingly digital and connected. More sustainable production is also gaining in importance. At the same time, however, it is also characterised by the interplay between technology and human expertise. One will not replace the other. Rather, technology and human expertise complement one another and, together, enable better results.

What sort of skilled workers will be in demand in the shipbuilding industry of the future?

Hybrid shipbuilding requires both experienced craftspeople and digitally savvy specialists. It is precisely this combination that many skilled workers from Eastern Europe bring to the table – solid craftsmanship combined with growing experience in automated, networked production environments.

Welders and CNC operators
Monitoring of automated welding and cutting systems, quality control and calibration

Mechatronics engineers and robotics technicians
Installation, maintenance and optimisation of assembly and robotics systems

Electricians and systems integrators
Sensor integration, connected on-board technology, control technology

Shipbuilders and steel fabricators
Fuselage construction, section assembly, structural work

Quality assurance specialists and testing technicians
Real-time data analysis and documentation of digitised processes

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Enquire about skilled shipbuilding workers from Eastern Europe

Are you looking for qualified specialists in welding, steel construction, electrical engineering, mechatronics or systems integration for your shipyard? We recruit experienced staff from Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and other EU countries – quickly, in full compliance with the law and with the right qualifications.

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Frequently asked questions

Is automation replacing traditional skilled trades in shipbuilding?

Welders, electronics technicians and mechanics remain indispensable. They are increasingly working with digital control systems, monitoring robots and CNC machines, and analysing quality data in real time.

To what extent do machines already carry out manual welding work today?

At a state-of-the-art shipyard, machines are already carrying out up to 40% of the welding work that was previously done manually. The employees affected can take on other tasks or monitor the equipment.

What new job roles are emerging as a result of automation?

Mechatronics engineers, robotics engineers, software developers and data analysts are in demand. Shipyards are increasingly turning to multidisciplinary teams that combine shipbuilding expertise with computer science and data analysis.

Do skilled workers from Eastern Europe have experience with automated production lines?

Shipyards and industrial plants in Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania are increasingly adopting automated processes. Many skilled workers have experience with CNC machines, welding robots and networked production systems.

What is the legal procedure for seconded EU staff?

EU citizens can, in principle, work in Germany without a work permit. In the case of a posting, we will arrange the necessary A1 certificate and check which registration requirements apply. If the arrangement involves the supply of temporary workers, we will also comply with the provisions of the Temporary Employment Act (AÜG). We will guide you through the necessary steps for your assignment.

How quickly is staff available?

Staff are usually available within one to three weeks. If specific certifications, system knowledge or language skills are required, we recommend that you make your enquiry well in advance.

Do you need shipbuilding subcontractors on a contract basis instead of temporary labour? Our sister platform takes care of that zeitarbeit-international.de.