Page 14: of Marine News Magazine (October 2024)

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Insights

In the short term, we see opportunities to support both advancements, but I believe the advantages in higher value commercial and government customers with the addition to our customers, quality of life for our trades people and of deepwater pier space as well as remote work at Naval the shipyards bottom line are only going to increase in the

Station Everett. We are watching NSE’s growth closely and coming years and decades. believe that our proximity to the base and strong value proposition rooted in commercial ship repair positions us What are the biggest challenges currently fac- well to support the government as the number of ships ing the Everett Ship Repair, or even the ship grows there in the coming years. repair industry in general, and what is the com- pany doing to address these challenges?

How are recent technological advancements For most businesses employing blue collar trades, ship impacting the ship repair industry? Are ad- repair included, the biggest challenge is ? nding the people vances in areas such as digitalization and auto- willing to do the work. We address this issue in many ways, mation, for example, having any impact? but namely through engaging with the numerous work-

While ship service, repair and major conversions have force development organizations in the Puget Sound area, always and will always rely on skilled trades people, digita- our own in-house apprenticeship program, paying com- lization and technological advancements certainly provide petitive wages and generally providing an environment advantages. As front-end planning has evolved from physi- which enables rapid upward mobility to employees in a cal templates and drafting tables to CAD and 3D scans of positive, forward thinking and operating environment.

existing structures, the improvements in a shipyard’s abil- ity to detail out every aspect of a job has advanced by leaps As ESG continues to grain greater focus across and bounds. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. all industries, what steps is Everett Ship Repair

Out on the dock ? oors, our trades people are learning taking to promote sustainability and reduce en- to run robotics, and by doing so, are reducing injuries and vironmental impact?

improving quality and ef? ciencies. As the youngest shipyard on the US West Coast, regu-

Yes, there has been positive impacts from technological lated by the stringent Washington State Department of

Ecology along with the latest regulations administered by federal EPA/Clean Air we are likely one of the cleanest yards on the waterfront. Regulators will, over time, get some of the older legacy yards/permit hold- ers up to snuff, but we have, from day one, been set up to meet a higher bar regarding

ESG when compared to our competitors.

Can you share a recent success story or project that exempli? es your company’s capabilities?

While I do not comment on speci? c customers or vessel names, it always feels good to deliver projects early and under budget. We recently did this on a complex project for a large ? shing vessel owner as well as an early delivery for a major ferry operator with a pressing need to get their vessel back in service.

All photos courtesy Everett Ship Repair 14 | MN October 2024