The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Chile organized a shipbuilding seminar at the University of Concepción (UdeC) that emphasized the importance of strengthening regional capacities in advanced manufacturing and the ocean economy. The activity paved the way to address the opportunities offered by the sector for regional development, in addition to projecting new forms of academic, technological, and industrial collaboration between both countries.
The event, titled “Shipbuilding, the United Kingdom’s Perspective and Experience,” brought together academics, specialists from the island nation, players from the maritime-industrial sector, and regional authorities.
In this regard, the President of the University of Concepción, Carlos Saavedra Rubilar, commented that the occasion seeks to “open a space for dialogue and reflection around shipbuilding, a strategic sector for the naval, logistical, and technological development of Chile.”
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Chile, Louise de Sousa, emphasized her country’s interest in sharing experiences in this area, especially following the publication of Chile’s National Shipbuilding Policy.
In this sense, Louise de Sousa stressed that this industry represents “an opportunity to open a new front in using industrial modernization to contribute to the socioeconomic development of the region, where universities will play a paramount role.”
The diplomat also added that the British experience in Scotland demonstrates that shipbuilding can revitalize coastal cities, which would lie in the creation of quality jobs, innovation, and the articulation of multiple actors. “We want to share the experience with the Bio Bio Region and south-central Chile, where we see a similar opportunity,” she emphasized.
In turn, the Regional Governor of Bio Bio, Sergio Giacaman García, stated that the region is prepared to face new challenges thanks to its installed capacity, human talent, and industrial history. “I visualize nothing but opportunities, and these opportunities are consolidated to the extent that we are capable of working together,” he added.
For his part, the Presidential Delegate of Bio Bio, Eduardo Pacheco Pacheco, highlighted the State’s commitment to sustainable reindustrialization and the contribution of Bio Bio, a region that concentrates “more than 60% of the national capacity for vessel maintenance and repair,” which is why he valued the opportunities provided by the presence of the British delegation.
In this sense, Rex Cox, Trials & Acceptance Director of Babcock International and former Admiral of the British Royal Navy, shared the experience of the company specialized in defense solutions.
Cox, after accounting for the similarities between the challenges of Chile and the United Kingdom, stated that “having a long-term plan that everyone can support is really important. Once you start building ships you don’t stop, you can keep producing them like on a production line.”
He also recalled the need to involve actors from the educational system early on.
The University is a center of innovation and technical excellence that will be key, because we need to train the future generations of shipbuilders, and that begins here,” stated the former admiral.
Meanwhile, the Director of International Relations at UdeC, Yasna Pereira Reyes, explained that the seminar is part of a broader collaboration agenda with the Embassy of the United Kingdom. She indicated that the experience presented by Babcock is relevant, as it demonstrates good practices for articulating university capabilities, local industry, and associated services to revitalize territories.
“The University of Concepción continues with its commitment to be an articulator and to be part of all initiatives that help the prosperity of the region, especially with the focus of these projects on addressing areas that are economically more depressed and being able to activate them through collaborative projects,” she concluded.
