Skills shortages and climate action in shipbuilding: challenges for shipyards

German shipyards are under double pressure: a growing shortage of skilled labour is facing increasing demands due to Climate action, alternative propulsion systems and ship recycling. Added to this are issues relating to collective agreements and location in the context of international competition. What strategies shipyards need now – and what skills tomorrow’s skilled workers will need to possess.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

What challenges are shipyards facing?

The shortage of skilled workers remains a key challenge in shipbuilding. Many experienced shipyard workers are retiring, whilst it is difficult to recruit suitable young talent. At the same time, digital planning and manufacturing systems are changing the requirements for certain roles: in addition to manual skills, digital skills are also required, depending on the task.

Which occupations are particularly affected by the skills shortage?

The skilled workers required in shipbuilding include welders, mechanics, electronics technicians and pipeworkers. In addition, there are engineers and specialists in hydrodynamics, energy efficiency and propulsion systems.

What strategies do shipyards use to attract young talent?

To attract young talent, shipyards can further develop their training programmes, collaborate more closely with universities and raise awareness of the technical development opportunities within the industry. This includes:

Modernising training
Training should combine technical skills with the digital skills required for the relevant roles. Digital learning platforms and simulations can complement practical exercises and help to illustrate complex processes clearly.

Greater cooperation with universities
Dual study programmes and joint projects with universities can forge closer links between theory and practice. This enables students to gain an insight into specific tasks in shipbuilding, whilst shipyards are able to establish contact with potential future employees at an early stage.

The changing image of shipbuilding
Shipyards can do more to highlight the technical roles they currently offer – for example, in automation, data processing and the development of lower-emission propulsion systems. This helps to highlight concrete career prospects for young professionals.

How is the skills profile in shipbuilding changing?

Digital planning, automated manufacturing and new propulsion technologies are changing the requirements for many professions in shipbuilding. Manual skills remain important; for some roles, knowledge of control engineering, electronics and digital systems is also required.

Read the article to find out how traditional craft trades are changing as a result of automation and what new job profiles are emerging Digitalisation in yacht and shipbuilding: smart ships and digital twins.

What role do collective agreement and location issues play?

The German shipbuilding industry finds itself caught between conflicting pressures. On the one hand, clients are demanding greater efficiency and innovative technologies in the face of international competition, which entails costs. At the same time, wages in Germany are comparatively high. Added to this is the need to provide fair working conditions.

The issue of collective agreements plays a very important role here. Employers’ organisations and trade unions negotiate wages, working hours and job security. That in itself is a challenge. Automation and the desire for socially responsible solutions further heighten the significance of the issue.

The choice of location depends, amongst other things, on costs, the availability of skilled workers, infrastructure and the technical capabilities of the shipyards. Investment in modern facilities and digital planning can boost their competitiveness.

For small and medium-sized shipyards, major investments can be particularly challenging. Collaborations, suitable funding schemes and technology partnerships can help them to trial new processes and share investment costs. Whether this will secure a site in the long term depends on the economic circumstances of the individual business.

How do clusters and partnerships help shipyards?

One example is the Northern Germany Maritime Cluster. It brings together businesses, academia and the political sphere, supports the transfer of knowledge and helps in the search for project partners. Such networks can facilitate joint development projects and access to specialist knowledge.

In line with this, climate protection has not only made its mark on shipbuilding, but is now even shaping the industry. The transition to alternative propulsion systems is becoming a key factor in achieving these ambitious targets.

Which alternative ship propulsion systems are gaining ground?

Various fuels and technologies are being considered for lower-emission marine propulsion systems. Certain synthetic fuels can be used in suitable existing engines; their impact on the climate depends, in particular, on how they are produced. LNG is already used as a marine fuel, but in its fossil form it is not a zero-emission solution. Hydrogen requires suitable propulsion, storage and safety systems. The most suitable solution depends on the type of vessel and its operational profile.

Hybrid powertrain systems, for example, combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and an energy storage system. Depending on the driving profile, they can reduce fuel consumption – for instance, when the internal combustion engine is operated less frequently in an unfavourable load range.

Another option is to utilise waste heat. The hot exhaust gases from a ship’s engine can, for example, be used to generate steam, which is then used to drive a turbine to produce electricity for on-board operations. Whether such a system is viable depends, amongst other things, on the size and operating mode of the ship.

Why is ship recycling becoming an industry in its own right?

Another approach is ship recycling. Ships contain a variety of materials. Some of these are valuable, whilst others pose a threat to the environment. For ships covered by the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, there are requirements regarding the handling of hazardous substances and the selection of suitable recycling facilities. Ships flying the flag of an EU Member State may only be recycled at facilities included on the European list.

Appropriate separation processes and careful sorting can help to recover recyclable materials and handle hazardous substances safely. Automated processes may be suitable for individual stages of the process; their benefits must be demonstrated for the specific plant in question.

Taking a holistic view of a ship’s entire life cycle gives rise to new challenges for shipyards and their partners. These include material documentation, efficient operation and preparation for safe recycling. Shipyards can develop additional services from this; whether these provide a competitive advantage depends on demand and how they are implemented in practice.

What does the future hold for the German shipbuilding industry?

Shipbuilding is therefore undergoing a transformation. Green shipbuilding, the digitalisation of companies, smart ships and the automation of shipyards are the cornerstones that are key to this process. As if that were not enough, the shortage of skilled workers also presents its own challenges. Not only must employees be trained in their specific areas of expertise, but they must also be able to navigate the digital world associated with these fields. Only in this way can they truly realise the full potential.

Wage and location issues, climate protection, alternative propulsion systems and ship recycling will also be key factors in shaping the industry’s future over the coming decades. The future of shipbuilding lies with those shipyards that can combine tradition and innovation with digitalisation and automation.

German shipyards and their suppliers possess technical expertise in a range of areas. Whether they can strengthen their position in the face of international competition depends, amongst other things, on investment, skilled workers and the development of new technologies. Politicians, educational institutions and businesses also have a role to play in this regard.

What sort of skilled workers are in demand in the shipbuilding industry?

In addition to training and domestic recruitment, shipyards can meet their staffing needs by employing skilled workers from other EU countries. The key factors are the individual’s qualifications, experience and availability – particularly when it comes to roles involving digital or automated systems.

Welder & CNC operator
Welding work and the operation of automated welding and cutting systems

Pipe fitters & pipework installers
Construction and installation of pipework systems for utilities, fuels and cooling – and, depending on the project, for alternative propulsion systems as well

Electricians & Electronics Technicians
On-board electrical systems, sensor technology, control systems for hybrid and LNG systems

Mechanics & Industrial Mechanics
Drive systems, maintenance, mechanical auxiliary units

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

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Enquire about skilled shipbuilding workers from Eastern Europe

Are you short of qualified welders, pipeworkers, electricians or shipbuilders? We can help you find skilled workers from Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and other EU countries. Together, we will clarify the required qualifications, the planned role and the relevant legal requirements.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is there a shortage of skilled workers in the shipbuilding industry?

Many experienced shipyard workers are retiring, leaving vacancies. At the same time, the requirements are increasing: whereas technical expertise used to be sufficient, IT skills and digital competence are now also required.

Which occupations are particularly affected?

There is particular demand for traditional skilled workers such as welders, mechanics, electronics technicians and pipeworkers, as well as engineers and specialists in hydrodynamics, energy efficiency and drive systems.

How can shipyards meet their demand for skilled workers at short notice?

To meet short-term staffing needs, shipyards may, amongst other options, consider using temporary agency workers. Whether this is suitable for a specific assignment depends on the availability of qualified skilled workers and the legal requirements. The agency generally requires a licence under the Temporary Employment Act to do so.

Do skilled workers from Eastern Europe have experience with alternative propulsion systems and digital manufacturing?

Experience with alternative drive systems and digital manufacturing depends on the training and previous work experience of the individual. Upon request, we carry out a targeted search for candidates with the required knowledge and verify the evidence of qualifications provided.

What is the legal procedure for seconded EU staff?

In the case of cross-border staff deployment, the social security requirements, the working conditions applicable in Germany and any reporting obligations must be checked. An A1 certificate may be required in the case of a posting. If temporary agency work is involved, the requirements of the Temporary Agency Work Act (AÜG) also apply.

How quickly is staff available?

Usually within 1–3 weeks. If certifications, specific system knowledge or language skills are required, we recommend submitting your enquiry well in advance. We will provide a possible start date once we have assessed your specific enquiry.

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