Although deadweight tonnage production by European shipbuilders pales against that of the industry's heavyweights in eastern Asia, the region as a whole holds the third position globally in terms of the monetary value of the commercial orderbook. This is a direct reflection of European yards' concentration on specialised vessel segments of the market and of the extent and diversity of bespoke small vessel and craft construction. The prolific output of the smaller classes of vessel and craft from yards in the Netherlands continues to be a highlight of the European scene. The resilience and vitality of the Dutch maritime cluster can be attributed to an ingrained cost-consciousness, competitiveness and export-orientation, coupled with the fostering of innovative solutions, and a culture of productive co-operation within the industry.
展开▼
