COMPETITIVENESS OF THAI SHIPBUILDING

AND REPAIRING INDUSTRY

kumpanart@goldenplan.co.th

362 1.14

ABSTRACT : Shipbuilding and repairing industry in Thailand is a small industry. This situation came from the interaction of
various causes and events. These are lacking of supporting industries, outdate technology, small group of skill manpower, size of
market doesnt meet economy of scale, the industry doesnt attract new investment, obscure and discontinuous development policy,
degree of government support, etc. It is obvious that shipbuilding and repairing industry is the foundation of maritime industry
therefore success development will enhance economic and social welfare and also national security. This article starts at describing
the supply chain of the industry followed by its challenge and ending at competitiveness survey in view point of Thai ship owners.
The considered criteria were service fee, technology, time, quality, and reliability. Combination of these factors at certain degree has
influenced to ship owners decision: either buying an old vessel from abroad, new building in foreign yard, buy old domestic vessel,
and new building in domestic yard. Conclusion made from 362 vessels, 1.14 million ton gross, revealed that service fee and time are
principle factors that dominated ship owner decision.

KEYWORDS : Competitiveness, Shipbuilding industry, Ship repairing industry, shipyard, new building or buy old vessel decision
: Transport Policy