Shipyards of the future (ZEWT Partnership)

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: A strengthened European value chain cooperation and integration between equipment manufacturers and large, medium, and small-scale shipyards resulting in enhanced European competitiveness. Demonstration of improved shipyard manufacturing processes in small and medium-size shipyards, capable of building waterborne vessels in the EU/EEA.Reduced complexity to perform future retrofits of vessels and enabling the later inclusion of several emissions saving technologies and solutions.Higher capability and efficiency of European shipyards and equipment manufacturers to meet the increasing need to convert the shipping fleet towards zero-emission and biodiversity friendly maritime transport. Making the shipbuilding and retrofitting industry better prepared for building and replicating low-to-zero emission ships. Scope:European shipbuilding industry is facing increasing pressure from international players, and there is a need to improve its competitiveness through innovation and technological advancements. The MARI-4YARD project together with RESURGAM, FIBRE4YARDS, SMARTYards and PENELOPE developed several solutions on materials, processes, AI and skills. Additionally, the project SEUS in Horizon Europe is developing an integrated software platform with the ambition to save time in engineering, assembly and construction at European shipyards. However, there is still a need to increase the ambition and demonstrate these solutions in medium and small-size shipyards.At the same time, shipyards are often located in sensitive natural areas, such as coastal regions and estuaries. This provides an opportunity for shipyards to evaluate and reduce their impact on the surrounding biodiversity.The topic aims to improve efficiency and sustainability of European ship newbuilding and retrofitting processes, to improve the use of resources and circularity, to develop necessary skills and i