Description
After seriously lagging in modern shipbuilding, the Dutch shipbuilding industry caught up around 1914. In terms of tonnage and technology, Dutch shipbuilding came along on a global scale. However, the story of the emerging maritime knowledge organisations in the Netherlands gives a more nuanced image of how the Dutch shipbuilding industry developed in the first decades of the twentieth century. Educational, scientific, and professional organisations actively produced and shared knowledge. With that, they importantly contributed to the professionalisation of Dutch shipbuilding. Interestingly, the shipbuilding industry played a passive role in the myriad of emerging knowledge institutions. During this period of war and economic crises, the shipyard managers were calculative and rather circumvented the financial risks of investing in knowledge. Furthermore, being by far the most important client of the Dutch shipbuilders, the Dutch shipping industry often determined a shipyard’s company strategy. This often led to investments in modernising production methods and yard layouts. At the same time, the liberal government limited its interference to a minimum. Considering the support of the maritime industry, the only role the State took upon itself was protecting the interests of the Dutch colonies in East Asia by subsidising the shipping industry.Despite their passive role in the maritime knowledge infrastructure, the shipyards were well aware that they were in high need of knowledge. An increasing shortage of skilled workers and ongoing advances in technology forced them to take action. This resulted in company schools and the first steps towards a systematic approach to apprenticeship in the metal industry. These initiatives were costly and had only marginal results. Missing the coordination of a stronger government, the shipbuilding industry had to find its way through the obstacles, dead-end streets and unclear paths of the maritime knowledge labyrinth on its own. Today, the need for knowledge, cooperation and coordination is still relevant, with the shipbuilding industry facing the energy transition challenge. Knowledge, plans and intentions are on the table. With the right approach, the competitive position of the Dutch shipbuilding industry on the global market can be improved, international safety will be fostered, and the European goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be served.
| Period | 19 Oct 2023 |
|---|---|
| Event title | Annual Scottish Maritime History Conference |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Glasgow, United KingdomShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |
Research programs
- ESHCC HIS