The vision of ...

摘要

Innovation is the key factor in the competitiveness of the Dutch maritime industry. In order to maintain this advantage, co-operation of universities and research institutes with com-panies needs to improve. Continuation of the Maritime Innovation Program for another five years might establish just that, Sjef van Dooremalen argues. Dhere is only one strategy for survival of the shipbuilding industry in the Netherlands," Van Dooremalen emphasis-es. "We will have to develop advanced technologies that yards in other countries can not build yet. Dutch shipbuilding is innovative, yet we need to be aware our innovation has to be a constant process. The dredging pump we invent today, will be copied in China the day after tomorrow. Avoiding all the development cost and hir-ing cheaper personnel, companies from the Far East will offer the product we have invested in at much lower prices.