The U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry’s considerations of coastal hazards resilience - a baseline survey

Abstract

Climate change and associated coastal hazards can disrupt the United States shipbuilding and repair industry’s operations. These disruptions present risks to military and commercial ship orders, ship maintenance and repairs, and the nation’s overall shipbuilding strength. Through an online survey of representatives from 45 shipbuilding parent companies, individual shipyards, and ship repair and maintenance facilities, this research gauges how the industry considers coastal hazard resilience and addresses the possible impacts on shipbuilding and repair contracts and deliverables. Survey results suggest that the industry is ill-prepared for future coastal hazard events and that critical measures are needed to ensure a resilient shipbuilding and repair environment.