Improving Shipbuilding Productivity Through Industrial Engineering (The National Shipbuilding Research Program)

Provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 charged the Secretary of Commerce with the responsibility to "collaborate with ... shipbuilders in developing plans for the economical construction of vessels." To accomplish this task, the National Shipbuilding Research Program was established by the Maritime Administration with the responsibility to develop improved technical information and procedures for use by U.S. Shipyards, with the objective of reducing the cost and time for building ships. The Ship Production Committee challenged the industry to (1) develop the role of Industrial Engineering in shipbuilding; (2) implement an improved Industrial Engineering capacity; and (3) assist the U.S. shipyards in formulating standards for shipbuilding. The introduction of Industrial Engineering to shipbuilding or the expansion of the role of Industrial Engineering in shipbuilding continues to the elevation of the level of technology in this industry. There are direct, demonstrable, traceable connections in the progression from high technology to productivity to profitability. This is an economic fact of life which causes some industries to thrive and others to languish or die.