What is shipfitting?

Shipfitting is a skilled trade within the maritime industry where workers install or repair the structural components of ships and other vessels. Shipfitters use a variety of tools and techniques to fabricate metal parts, including cutting, welding, and riveting.

Shipfitting requires knowledge of blueprints and technical drawings, as well as a deep understanding of materials science and properties of metals used in shipbuilding. The work is physically demanding and often takes place in cramped, hazardous environments, such as shipyards and dry docks.

Some common tasks performed by shipfitters include fitting and aligning hull plates, installing and maintaining ship machinery and equipment, repairing damaged ship components, and constructing new ship structures.

Shipfitting is a critical component of the shipbuilding industry, and its practitioners are highly skilled professionals who play a vital role in ensuring the safety and operational integrity of seagoing vessels.