Page 55 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022

pricing policy. However, this should rounding the future fuel mix, propulsion
be assessed along with all the other systems, and forthcoming environmen-
parameters mentioned above. tal regulations, destabilising the sector
Given the complexity of the overall further. On the other hand, shipping is
process, shipowners should ensure responsible for approximately 85% of
that they diligently evaluate all avail- global trade, which, coupled with global
able alternatives, quantify all options population growth, means the need for
and assess the risks involved. Finally, newbuildings and maintaining, repairing,
another standard practice is to audit a and retrofitting the 50,000 merchant
shipyard before entering into any ship- ships trading worldwide will continue
building or repair contract to verify all to exist.
aspects of the service provided. In plain words, when you do the maths,
you can easily see that the shipyards’
In your experience, do you think the exist- capacity cannot meet demand. We are
ing capacity of shipyards can cope with the confident the situation will stabilise
demand from shipping companies? once the pandemic restrictions are
Between 2014 and 2021, the number fully lifted and future vessel designs
of active global shipyards was nearly are more settled. Shipyards offering
halved. According to certain studies, reliable, superior quality services will
more than 230 yards were shut down, thrive. Given the increasing specifica-
proving that consolidation within the tion and sophisticated requirements,
shipbuilding industry is an ongoing pro- shipyards will also need to modernise
cess. Economic instability and major their facilities and invest in technolo-
disruptions, such as the pandemic, gies that will allow them to scale up
geopolitical tensions, closures, and their production without jeopardising
mergers, do not support the viability the quality of services offered to effec-
of shipyards. On top of these factors, tively manage the growing expectations
we have been facing uncertainty sur- and demand in the coming years.

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