The aim of the collaboration with the yacht building industry cluster and knowledge centres is to achieve a sustainable (digital) knowledge platform in which theory and practice strengthen one another continuously and to bring about exemplary/icon projects with best practises.

To strengthen the economic position of the yacht building industry cluster in the NSR, we want to establish collaboration between the cluster, knowledge institutes and authorities on the basis of an integral strategy based on acceleration and cooperation within the yacht building production chain, in correlation with European social and climate challenges.

To bring about a change in the sector, research will have to be done into the current production methods, prototypes will have to be developed, hindrances to innovation should be removed and missing knowledge and expertise must be acquired.

This programme reinforces and endorses the economic, ecological, and social interests of Europe in the North Sea Region, and provides stakeholders with a strong knowledge position in the world. By working together in the context of the NSR the necessary scale will be achieved in order to become and remain a more competitive sector.

Central Aim

The aim of the collaboration with the yacht building industry cluster and knowledge centres is to achieve a sustainable (digital) knowledge platform in which theory and practice strengthen one another continuously and to bring about exemplary/icon projects with best practises.

The focus lies on making production methods more efficient, devoting attention to sustainability and safety, reducing the carbon footprint, cooperating and strengthening within the production chain, knowledge development and knowledge sharing, all in significant correlation with the innovation, research and education agenda of the different regional, national and European policy agendas.

A work programme/innovation agenda has been drawn up to give shape to the ambition and correlated strategy formulated above. This work programme is linked to the following work packages:

1) Concept development and design

2) Production techniques

3) Sustainability

4) Knowledge development

Cooperation in the production chain is the ‘umbrella’ that covers these four themes. For each theme, cooperation in the production chain is used to speed up the process so as to get results more quickly and effectively with respect to the defined development agendas.

Best practices in other industries will have to be examined closely. The innovative applications that are devised must always be deployed in a genuine environment with users: a living lab.

Within the project, the following work packages can be distinguished:
1. Concept development and design
2. Production techniques
3. Sustainability
4. Knowledge development

Envisaged Output

Within the project, the following work packages can be distinguished:

1. Concept development and design

Problem definition: The market/demand is changing rapidly and consumers are accustomed to frequent product innovations. The yacht building industry cluster is lagging behind in this respect. The time needed to develop a yacht is too long, so it is impossible to respond quickly enough to the rapidly changing market demand.

The following questions have been formulated on the basis of the above mentioned problem definition:

- Carrying out a baseline measurement: how much time is needed from concept to product?

- Research by related industries into concept development: what elements are practicable in the yacht building industry cluster?

- What is required in order to speed up the process?

- How can a base platform be developed by cooperation in the production chain? And what data is essential in order to arrive at a base platform?

- What role could a new technique like 3D printing play here?

- Etc.

2. Production techniques

The competitive position of the yacht building industry cluster in the NSR is under pressure by the larger producers who can manufacture their products on a large scale more cost effective. The production of a custom-built or semi custom-built yacht requires a lot (too much) time. The production time must be shortened to save costs and reduce the lead time.

The following questions have been formulated on the basis of the above mentioned problem definition:

- Carrying out a baseline measurement: how much time is needed to produce the average yacht?

- Research by related industries into shortening the production time taking notice for some useful elements if possible.

- How can the lead time be shortened by cooperation in the production chain? And what data is needed for this?

- What design and engineering tools are essential?

- What role does 3D printing play?

- Etc.

3. Sustainability

What can the yacht building industry cluster contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution and reduction of the carbon footprint? Sustainability is not yet adequately integrated in the building process of the yacht building industry cluster. Research must be carried out into how sustainability can play a role and be implemented in concept development, design and production, and in the usage and end of life phases of a yacht.

The following questions have been formulated on the basis of the above mentioned problem definition:

- Carrying out a baseline measurement: how is sustainability taken into account within the various production phases in the yacht building cluster?

- Research by related industries into applying sustainability principles in the production process (e.g. limiting waste flows and consumption of raw materials).

- Research into possibilities of taking sustainability principles into account in the design process, for example dismantling after the usage phase.

- Research into the possibilities of recycling, with the focus on reuse of composite materials.

- What is required in order to speed up the application of sustainability principles in the yacht building cluster?

- Etc.

4. Knowledge development

Problem definition: How can the yacht building industry cluster satisfy an increasing need for knowledge? This demand for knowledge is related to increased complex technology that is used to design, produce and fit out yachts, in connection with the European social challenges for sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

The following questions have been formulated on the basis of the above mentioned problem definition:

- Carrying out a baseline measurement: how is the lack of knowledge being remedied?

- Research into the required knowledge in individual areas; identification of research areas.

- Research into getting the research questions acknowledged in the NSR yacht building industry cluster and addressing them.

- Research into offering bundled knowledge in the NSR.

- How can R&D facilities contribute to product development? And what are the possibilities of using R&D facilities more for SMEs?

- How can structural connections be made and coordinated between the various R&D facilities for the benefit of the industry?

- How can innovation and other facilities be shared within the NSR?

- Etc.

Joint Industry Projects
Based on the above mentioned development agendas, Joint Industry Projects are to be formulated that will enable market parties, knowledge institutions and, potentially, the authorities to work on developing the problem definitions and implementing them. A result indicator is linked to each JIP to make the result measurable against predetermined objectives in the context of the ambitions and problem definitions stated in the development agendas.

Branche organisations in the yacht building industry and yacht building industry associations in the NSR have already been contact under supervision of HISWA.

We are looking for at least eight to ten international partners who are working professionally in the yacht/maritime/production industry or research institutes (universities) who are specialised in innovation/productivity related to SMEs in the yacht building industry.

We are also interested in (sub) projects that relate to the following themes:

• E-learning in industrial environments
• QRM principles / Lean production
• Digital platforms
• Modern production techniques
• Use of high end / new materials
• Industrial design