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 no longer be working with spanners and torches. Instead, they will be sitting at digital control panels. They will monitor the welding robots, the CNC milling machines and all other systems. They will collect quality data in real time and analyse it straight away.

In principle, the way it will work is that tasks which used to take hours will be carried out by sensor-controlled assembly lines. These carry out the process with millimetre precision and at high speed. Skilled workers will then check the results. They will calibrate the system and optimise the process. To do this, they will draw on their technical knowledge and digital skills.

What new job roles are emerging in shipbuilding?

Automation is creating new job roles, such as mechatronics engineers, robotics engineers, software developers and data analysts. All of these are needed to design, develop and control the digital systems and processes involved in automation.

Engineers design the digital twins that replicate entire ships on a computer. IT specialists then implement the interface between the designers’ software, the manufacturing systems and the 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 skilled 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. Robots can easily carry out these tasks much more effectively and safely.

For the employees affected, this means they will have to retrain. If they do not, 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?

However, this also means that further training is more important than ever. Rather than simply improving their qualifications and securing a higher salary, employees need these measures just to keep their jobs. Lifelong learning has thus also reached the traditional trades. In-house training programmes must adapt to this and ensure that the necessary capacity is available.

What social responsibilities does this change entail?

Automation is not just a technological issue. It also raises many social problems. Employees do not want to lose their jobs overnight, nor do employers want to lose their staff just like that. 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 working tirelessly to facilitate the introduction of new technologies and their integration into workplaces. In doing so, they are striving to ensure that these do not lead to mass redundancies, but rather to a reorganisation of roles.

One of the measures is reflected in the collective agreements. Here, the agreements link qualifications and job security. In this way, they create an incentive for employees not simply to sit back and wait, but to take a proactive approach to further training. They are then also able to cope with the new systems brought about by automation and, as valuable employees, not only secure their jobs but also earn a higher income.

Companies are now also working in partnership with their workforce. This means that employees are actively involved in digitalisation. They receive targeted training programmes to ensure that their practical experience is retained and can be utilised in the automation of business operations. Furthermore, staff can draw on this experience to help steer digitalisation in the right direction.

What challenges are holding back automation?

However, automation also presents challenges. Whilst it saves money in the long term – for example, in terms of investment – a substantial upfront payment is still required before the benefits become apparent.

Furthermore, there are technological hurdles. Not all processes and software are as standardised as businesses would like. This means that major 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 area can disrupt production chains, leading to downtime or delayed deliveries.

Acceptance is also an issue: not all staff are open to change. This makes sense from a psychological point of view, too, as they have completed their training, got to grips with their roles and settled into the team. They have achieved a state of success. Now – with automation – they are starting all over again. They have to learn anew and prove themselves once more. Not only is this more time-consuming, it also carries the risk of making a mistake or even failing. Who would want to take that on?

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 not only boosts competitiveness and delivers cost savings; it also has a positive impact on sustainability. 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. Thus, the desire for greater output per person is also key to achieving higher productivity per employee thanks to digital, automated systems.

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 brings with it many new opportunities based on increased productivity, improved quality and greater competitiveness. However, this also presents new challenges for staff, their skills and the infrastructure as a whole.

In future, shipbuilding will operate in a digital and networked environment. In doing so, it will become sustainable and environmentally friendly. At the same time, however, it also involves a synergy between technology and human expertise. One will not replace the other. Rather, the two will complement each other and thus achieve more than the simple sum of the two parts would suggest.

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.

Welder & CNC operator
Monitoring of automated welding and cutting systems, quality control and calibration

Mechatronics Engineers & Robotics Technicians
Installation, maintenance and optimisation of assembly and robotics systems

Electricians & system integrators
Sensor integration, connected on-board technology, control technology

Shipbuilder & Steelworker
Fuselage construction, section assembly, structural work – still essential

Quality Assurer & Test Technician
Real-time data analysis and documentation in a digitalised process

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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?

No, it is changing them. Welders, electronics technicians and mechanics remain indispensable, but are increasingly working at digital control panels, monitoring robots and CNC machines, and analysing quality data in real time.

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

In a state-of-the-art shipyard, machines are already carrying out up to 40 % of the traditional manual welding tasks. The employees affected are either changing their area of responsibility or taking on the role of supervising 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 relying on interdisciplinary teams that combine maritime engineering with computer science and data analysis.

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

Polish, Czech and Romanian shipyards and industrial plants are increasingly turning to 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?

Full freedom of movement for workers applies to EU citizens. We apply for A1 certificates, ensure AÜG compliance and take care of minimum wage reporting to customs - completely and without any effort on your part.

How quickly is staff available?

Usually within 1–3 weeks. For complex job profiles – such as those requiring specific certifications, system knowledge or language skills – 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.