Robotics is gaining ground across shipbuilding and repair yards as operators confront labour shortages, tighter delivery schedules and rising pressure to improve safety and environmental performance. New projects involving HD Hyundai Robotics in North America and RobotPlusPlus in Vietnam show how automated welding and robotic surface preparation are entering day-to-day maritime operations at scale.
The impact of robotics is increasingly extending beyond experimental projects and into the practical realities of vessel construction, repair turnaround and fleet maintenance planning.
In the United States and Brazil, HD Hyundai Robotics has secured an order from The Chouest Group for its ArcLift GO robotic welding solution. The systems will be deployed across three Chouest Group shipyards in North America, including Louisiana, alongside one shipyard in Brazil.
The agreement comes as US shipyards continue to face shortages of skilled welders, a challenge that has begun to affect productivity and construction capacity. According to HD Hyundai Robotics, its welding systems are designed to allow operators with limited robotics experience to manage multiple units simultaneously through plug-in-and-play software and automated process controls.
For shipowners operating offshore service vessels and commercial fleets, more stable production schedules inside shipyards can influence vessel availability, maintenance planning and fleet expansion decisions.
At the same time, robotic systems are also entering repair and coating operations in Southeast Asia. RobotPlusPlus recently delivered more than 20 hydroblasting robots and integrated support systems to NOSCO Shipyard in Quang Ninh, Vietnam.
The deployment includes ultra-high-pressure pumps, wastewater recovery systems and robotic hull cleaning equipment designed to replace conventional manual blasting methods. According to the company, the systems can improve productivity by eight to nine times compared with traditional processes while collecting more than 99 per cent of wastewater and paint residue generated during operations.
“The adoption of modern equipment is essential to improving productivity, protecting the environment and ensuring operational safety,” said Mr. Hung, Vice Director of NOSCO Shipyard. “These systems are practical solutions that will help us optimize workflows, improve surface quality, reduce manual labor and create a safer, more environmentally responsible shipyard.”
The projects illustrate how robotics is entering core shipyard workflows ranging from steel fabrication to hull preparation. The technology is tied to questions of vessel delivery certainty, repair efficiency and long-term workforce resilience.
Tags: BulkContainerGas CarrierOffshore SupportTanker
