Development strategies and business models of the Largest Naval Shipbuilding Groups in the European Union

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze development strategies and adopted business models in the largest capital groups dealing with the construction and equipment of naval ships in the European Union countries. Warship construction and equipment production have been found to constitute the largest part of the European shipbuilding industry. The subject of the assessment included British BAE Systems, French Naval Group, German TKMS in Germany, Spanish Navantia, Swedish SAAB Kockums, Italian Fincantieri, and Dutch Damen.

The analysis shows that one of the basic factors shaping the development strategies of European naval yards is defense policy of the EU and NATO. The EU policy focuses on providing funds for production of new vessels and R&D funds that are available to EU members. These factors and the adopted business models were reflected in the volume of revenues of the largest capital groups and in profit margins. The obtained data shows that the financial condition of these companies is not stable. The business models of the analyzed enterprises differ significantly in terms of the types of ships built, as well as the ownership and capital structure. A common feature of these groups’ activities is cooperation in the implementation of shipbuilding projects within the EU and striving to consolidate within large capital groups. However, the dynamics of the consolidation processes is relatively low and there is a risk that the competitiveness of naval yards may be insufficient in the face of aggressive actions undertaken by Asian naval shipyards.