Introduction

Transport is a sector in which lightweight products and lightweight designs are becoming increasingly important. This applies not least in the shipbuilding sector, where composites or aluminium materials are being used to reduce overall weight or superstructure weight, and to build high-speed vessels. The lighter a vessel, the more it can carry, or the less energy it needs for propulsion.  However, development and use are impeded not only by technical difficulties, but also by international regulations. It is particularly the choice of materials that is circumscribed by regulations. The designer of a passenger ferry is, for example, able to use only a few approved lightweight panels for passenger areas.  

The Swedish merchant shipping industry is an important sector. In 1998, its direct turnover amounted to SEK 45 000 million, earned by about 500 companies with a total of 27 000 employees (source: SOU 1998:129). Indirectly, a further 33 000 were dependent on the sector for their work (the engineering industry, transport industry, petroleum industry etc.), giving a total of about 60 000 persons. These figures do not include the substantial Swedish recreational craft sector. The shipping business is dominated by a few large shipping lines, while the subcontractors are dominated by small and medium-sized companies.  

The shipping industry is thus very important for Sweden. However, it does need an improvement in the technology, as described in this project, if it is to meet future competition. The objective of the project is to develop and demonstrate new methods for the use of lightweight materials and lightweight designs of boats and vessels. The project includes producing demonstration objects of various marine vessels, using the lightweight materials that are most suitable for each particular type of vessel. The demonstration objects will be used to prove critical parts of the new designs.