🚢 Stronger Links: How to Build Resilient Supply Chains for Newbuild Projects
- Davide Ramponi
- 9. Okt.
- 5 Min. Lesezeit
My name is Davide Ramponi, I’m 20 years old and currently training as a shipping agent in Hamburg. On my blog, I take you with me on my journey into the exciting world of shipping. I share my knowledge, my experiences, and my progress on the way to becoming an expert in the field of Sale and Purchase – the trade with ships.
A few years ago, if you asked a shipyard manager about supply chains, they might have said: “We place the order. The parts arrive. What’s the issue?”
Then came COVID-19. And the Suez Canal blockage. And war in Ukraine. And semiconductor shortages. And skyrocketing freight rates. Suddenly, supply chains became the bottleneck no one could ignore — and building ships without disruption became far more complicated.
In the post-pandemic and geopolitically charged world, ensuring a steady flow of steel, systems, and skilled labor isn’t just a procurement concern. It’s a strategic advantage.
In this post, we’ll explore how newbuild projects can build supply chain resilience — from smarter sourcing to digital tools, and everything in between.
🔍 In this post, I’ll walk you through:
🌐 How global shocks have reshaped newbuild supply chains
🧩 Multi-sourcing, localization, and risk mitigation strategies
📦 Digital tools for tracking and transparency
🕰️ The pros and cons of just-in-time vs. stockpiling
🚧 Real-world lessons from projects disrupted by supply issues
Let’s unpack the new reality of shipbuilding logistics — and how forward-thinking yards and owners are adapting.
🌍 Post-COVID and Geopolitical Disruptions in Shipbuilding Supply
📉 The Domino Effect
Before 2020, supply chains were optimized for cost-efficiency, not resilience. Components and subsystems were ordered just in time from specialized suppliers, often in specific regions.
Then the world changed.
COVID shut down production in key hubs like China and South Korea
Border controls delayed shipments
Container shortages pushed freight rates up 400%+
The war in Ukraine disrupted steel, engine parts, and labor flows
Trade tensions (U.S.–China, EU–Russia) added red tape and uncertainty
For shipbuilders, this meant:
⚠️ Delays in main engine and propeller deliveries
🚧 Projects stalled waiting on switchboards or sensors
💰 Emergency air-freighting of mission-critical parts
🔍 Supply Chain as Strategic Risk
Shipyards and owners now realize: supply chain resilience is just as important as steel quality or welding precision.
And that means rethinking procurement strategy from the ground up.
🧩 Strategies for Multi-Sourcing and Supplier Localization
🛠 Why Single-Sourcing Became a Liability
Many shipbuilders traditionally relied on “preferred vendors” — trusted suppliers with long-term relationships. But even the most reliable vendor can’t ship what it doesn’t have.
Multi-sourcing—securing the same part from multiple suppliers—adds redundancy and buffers against disruption.
🌐 The Rise of Local Suppliers
Globalization isn't dead, but localization is trending.
Some shipyards are:
Qualifying backup vendors in nearby countries
Investing in regional fabrication shops
Partnering with local governments to boost supply chain security
🔧 Example:
One European yard partnered with local manufacturers to build electrical panels in-house — reducing dependency on Asian imports and shaving 6 weeks off delivery time.
🤝 Strategic Supplier Management
Build dual-vendor contracts for critical components
Pre-qualify emergency suppliers during project planning
Use supplier scorecards that factor in resilience, not just price
💡 Goal:
Make your supply chain agile, not just cheap.
📦 Digital Supply Chain Platforms and Transparency Tools
With dozens (or hundreds) of parts moving toward a shipyard at once, real-time visibility is essential.
🧠 Enter the Digital Supply Chain
AI and IoT-enabled platforms can now:
📦 Track parts from factory to yard
📊 Predict delays based on port congestion or weather
🧾 Compare vendor performance on cost, lead time, and quality
🚨 Send alerts for at-risk shipments
Popular tools include:
SAP Digital Supply Chain
Shipbuilding-specific modules in IFS and AVEVA
Project44 or FourKites for logistics visibility
Custom-built dashboards integrating RFID/barcode tracking
📱 These tools let project managers view part location, ETA, and delivery risk on their phones — in real time.
🔍 Use Cases in Newbuilds
Re-sequencing of work when parts are delayed
Dynamic crew scheduling around material availability
Automated reorder triggers when inventory dips
💬 Insight:
A connected supply chain isn’t just a tech upgrade — it’s a risk mitigation engine.
🕰️ Just-in-Time vs. Inventory Stockpiling: Rethinking the Trade-Off
🧮 The Just-in-Time (JIT) Model
For decades, shipyards embraced JIT:
Lower storage costs
Less capital tied up in inventory
Leaner, faster operations
But in today’s world, JIT has serious risks:
One late truck = blocked phase = days of delay
Missed deliveries cause cascading schedule shifts
Global shocks are now frequent, not rare
📦 Stockpiling: Making a Comeback?
Some shipyards are now:
Pre-ordering long-lead items 6–12 months in advance
Creating buffer inventories for critical path components
Renting external warehouse space to manage overstock
📉 While more expensive upfront, this strategy avoids:
Penalties for late delivery
Reputational damage with clients
Emergency air-freight costs
💡 Tip:
Combine JIT and stockpiling by classifying parts by lead time, criticality, and delivery risk — then tailor the approach for each.
🚧 Lessons from Delayed Projects: What Can Go Wrong?
Let’s examine a few examples of projects that faced serious setbacks — and what we can learn.
📍 Case 1: Engine Blocked at Port – Tanker Newbuild, 2021
A medium-sized Korean shipyard faced a 5-week delay when the main engine for a tanker was:
Held up at a congested port
Missing export documentation due to a supplier error
💥 Consequences:
Project delayed
Re-sequencing caused overtime across the yard
Lost drydock slot for commissioning
🧠 Lesson:
One missing part = multimillion-euro impact. Advance planning and customs visibility are key.
📍 Case 2: War Disrupts Cable Supply – Offshore Vessel, 2022
A European yard sourced high-specification cable trays from a Ukrainian supplier. With war breaking out:
Factory shut down
No alternatives pre-qualified
3-month scramble to find replacements
🎯 Solution:
Engaged local metalwork firms
Re-certified the substitute parts
Built supplier diversity into future RFQs
📍 Case 3: Software-Linked Delay – Cruise Ship, 2023
A state-of-the-art cruise newbuild was delayed by software license issues for a digital HVAC system sourced from three vendors.
The issue?
Version incompatibility
Unclear handovers between suppliers
📉 Result:
HVAC integration delayed by 7 weeks, impacting entire interior outfitting timeline.
💬 Key Takeaway:
Digital supply chains need digital alignment — not just physical parts.
🔮 The Future of Supply Chain Resilience in Shipbuilding
As the industry adapts, expect to see:
🤖 AI-driven supplier risk scoring
🧱 Modular parts with standardized specs for easier substitution
🛰️ Real-time shipment tracking via satellite IoT
🧠 Predictive demand models integrated into ERP systems
🤝 Closer collaboration between yards, vendors, and regulators
Supply chain resilience will become a key KPI — not just for project managers, but for shipowners, investors, and charterers.
✅ Conclusion: Build Smarter, Plan Stronger
Newbuild success isn’t just about what happens in the drydock — it’s about what happens before parts even arrive.
Key Takeaways 🎯
🌐 Supply shocks have made supply chain resilience a top priority
🧩 Multi-sourcing and localization reduce vendor risk
📦 Digital tools offer real-time transparency and control
🕰️ JIT must be balanced with strategic inventory buffers
🚧 Real projects show the costly consequences of weak logistics
A resilient supply chain isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity in today’s volatile world.
👇 How are you strengthening your newbuild supply chain strategy?
What tools or approaches are you testing?
💬 Share your thoughts in the comments — I look forward to the exchange!
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