Michael Fieldson’s Post

This is a very eye-opening article in the Wall Street Journal on a subject those who follow U.S naval shipbuilding and merchant marine trends have been warning about for years. While China has spent decades building up a shipbuilding capacity, the U.S. has seen its own sector dwindle to a handful of manufacturers solely focusing on naval - and not commercial - manufacture. U.S. defense industrial capacity has steadily shrunk since the end of the Cold War and efforts to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion have exposed this reality. The Covid pandemic, followed by the war in Ukraine, should serve as warnings that resiliency needs to be a key factor in U.S. strategic economic considerations moving forward. #defenseindustry #shipbuilding #naval #merchantmarine https://lnkd.in/eVr4NW79

More than half of the world’s commercial shipbuilding output came from China last year—making it the top global shipmaker by a wide margin. By becoming the world's shipyard, building the world's largest coast guard and fishing fleet, along with growing its merchant marine, China is expanding its military might and overall strength as a global power. And while Chinese shipyards are thriving and primed to build at wartime rates, U.S. shipbuilding is in disarray. Read more from The Wall Street Journal ⬇️ #China #shipyards #shipbuilding #commercialshipbuilding

🚨 Read in The Wall Street Journal: "China’s Shipyards Are Ready for a Protracted War. America’s Aren’t." ➡️"China emerged as a global power by turning itself into the world’s factory floor. It is expanding that power, and its military might, with another striking industrial feat: becoming the world’s shipyard." More here 👉https://lnkd.in/e3RTZhQu 💡This echos what Jonathan Holslag highlighted in 'Every Ship a Warship': "China considers maritime power as an important building block of its national power and crucial for its national economic security. In recent years, the Communist Party has strengthened its grip on all large maritime companies. China is also developing its civilian maritime assets with an eye of being deployed in armed conflicts." More here 👉https://lnkd.in/euZYdHJN 📢 Time for Europe to wake up and realise that maritime industrial leadership is essential for strategic autonomy and sovereignty!

#ExecutiveSummary: #ELK3D's Strategy for #USA #Maritime #Innovation with Foundational Roots ELK3D's vision for revitalizing the United States' maritime and shipbuilding industry is deeply rooted in the personal history and commitment of our founders. Having spent their childhoods immersed in the #family #business aboard #ships and in #ports, they possess an intimate understanding of the maritime world. This unique background blends with our #veteran-led team's expertise to drive a strategic initiative aimed at reclaiming and enhancing the U.S.'s position as a global maritime power in the face of China's dominance. Key Components of Our Proposed Strategy: - Heartfelt Dedication and Deep-Seated Maritime Wisdom: Anchored in our founders' cherished childhood memories aboard ships and within bustling ports, ELK3D embodies a profound dedication and history. Our founders' unique heritage promises not just to guide us but to inspire and elevate the future of the maritime industry. Our commitment goes beyond business—it's a tribute to the legacy and the endless possibilities that the vast ocean holds. #MaritimeHeritage 🚢 #FamilyBusiness ⚓ - Advanced Manufacturing Integration: Advocating for the adoption of 3D printing and other cutting-edge technologies to revolutionize #shipbuilding, increasing efficiency, and fostering innovation. #AdvancedManufacturing 🛠️ #InnovationInShipbuilding 🏗️ - Innovation Hubs Creation: Transforming U.S. ports into innovation hubs that encourage collaboration and technological advancement, rooted in the hands-on maritime experiences of our founders. #InnovationHubs 🌐 #MaritimeTech 🌊 - Investment in R&D and #WorkforceDevelopment: Emphasizing the importance of research and skilled labor, reflecting our founders' understanding of the industry's needs and challenges. #ResearchAndDevelopment 🔍 #SkilledWorkforce 👩🏭👨🏭 #ResearchOpportunity - Public-Private Partnership Promotion: Leveraging the synergy between government and industry to accelerate innovation, informed by our founders' lifetime exposure to the business and operational sides of maritime activities. #PublicPrivatePartnership 🤝 #MaritimeInnovation 💡 - Regulatory Support and Incentives: Advocating for a supportive policy framework and incentives to stimulate investments in advanced shipbuilding technologies. #PolicySupport 📜 #InvestInMaritime 📈 ELK3D is uniquely positioned to lead this transformative initiative, blending personal history, professional #military discipline, and innovative vision. We are dedicated to ensuring the U.S. not only competes but leads in the maritime domain, reflecting our founders' lifelong connection to and passion for the sea. Contact us for more info and use cases Taylor Hardy Michelle Green BigRep - Large-Format 3D Printers & Nexa3D #unitedstates #3dprinting #3dprintingtechnology #dfam #china #america #americanmanufacturing #americanmade #american #revolutionarytechnology #university #collectiveintelligence #bebold

This article ran 2 days ago in the WSJ. No longer a niche discussion for navalists and sea power aficionados, this is a issue that needs to be addressed. Global trade, underpinned by the freedom of the seas provided by the US Navy is critical to ALL industries in our economy. We need more shipyards and we need them yesterday. https://lnkd.in/gMDi69Um

Smart move. South Korea recently took back the lead as the world's largest ship builder. This partnership will help. However, building US domestic capacity is still necessary. "Having fallen far behind China in shipbuilding, the U.S. is turning to allies in South Korea and Japan for the turnaround strategy. Key to that effort is attracting companies such as Hyundai that go head-to-head with the Chinese and can do everything America lacks: making ships quickly at low costs with modern techniques. China’s naval battle-force ship fleet now outnumbers the U.S.’s, having ramped up production at state-subsidized shipyards that build all types of vessels. A majority of the world’s ship output last year came from China. Coming in at No. 2 was South Korea, with roughly a quarter of global deliveries. The U.S. barely registers on the global rankings. The few American shipyards left build American ships—and pretty much nothing else, since the labor costs are higher and the turnaround times longer. That is where South Korea’s shipbuilding giants like Hyundai can step in to help."

MOSCOW — Russian Navy to Add Approximately 50 Ships This Year CHINA LEADS THE WORLD IN SHIPBUILDING The Russian Navy is set to receive around 50 ships of various classes this year, an increase from the 32 ships received last year, according to the deputy minister of industry and trade. Despite Russia's ambitious naval policies and plans for a new generation of destroyers, the shipbuilding industry in Russia shows few signs of being able to meet these goals, as noted by the military-analytical institute RUSI in 2022. The deficiencies of Russia's naval shipbuilding sector were apparent even in producing smaller and less complex vessels. The financial and industrial constraints of Russia's shipbuilding sector suggest that its surface navy is likely to evolve into a fleet focused on frigates and corvettes, which are more suited for "green water" (coastal) operations rather than "blue water" (ocean-going) capabilities. This perspective is supported by Sidharth Kaushal, a doctorate holder from the London School of Economics who specializes in global navies. Conversely, U.S. officials openly acknowledge significant challenges with delays and budget overruns in constructing new naval ships, as well as difficulties in overhauling existing vessels. While both Russia and the U.S. face obstacles in military shipbuilding, China advances rapidly and relatively quietly. According to the U.S. Navy's intelligence unit (ONI), China's shipbuilding capacity is 232 times greater than that of the U.S., and it currently holds nearly half of the global shipbuilding capacity.

#worldpoliticalcommentary #worldmilitarycommentary #china #chinesshipyards #chinesewarships - These big shipyards are China's shipbuilding power players and are cranking out new warships at a breakneck pace https://lnkd.in/gGmEub_y

The U.S. is actively seeking investment from South Korea and Japan to bolster its shipbuilding industry. However, there are some fundamental differences that complicate any direct comparison between their approaches and those of U.S. shipbuilders. Understanding these distinctions is crucial as the U.S. aims to enhance its maritime capabilities and foster successful partnerships with these leading shipbuilding nations. Learn more in Justin Katz's article for Breaking Defense. https://lnkd.in/ew6yFiMQ