Union defends the naval industry and demands stability for the sector’s recovery

The National Union of the Naval and Offshore Construction and Repair Industry (Sinaval) came out in defense of the Brazilian naval industry by stating that the challenges faced by the sector are not related to the technical capacity of national shipyards, but rather to the lack of consistent and long-term public policies to guarantee competitiveness against the main international competitors.

The demonstration occurred in response to an article published in the national press that questioned the competitiveness of Brazilian shipbuilding. In a statement, the union argued that comparisons with countries such as China, South Korea and Japan often ignore decades of government investment, financial incentives and industrial policies implemented by these nations.

According to Sinaval, world shipbuilding leaders treated the sector as a strategic State issue. In addition to its economic relevance, the shipping industry is seen in these countries as a fundamental element for national sovereignty, energy security, defense, foreign trade and the generation of qualified jobs.

The entity highlighted that global shipbuilding is not determined exclusively by the lowest market price. This is an activity that is intensive in capital, technology, engineering, steel, specialized equipment and long-term financing, factors that require continuous planning and regulatory stability.

The union also recalled that Japan, South Korea and China took decades to consolidate their respective naval industries. According to Sinaval, international experience demonstrates that competitiveness does not emerge immediately, but is built through permanent public policies and a predictable order book.

Another point highlighted by the entity was the impact of the so-called “Brazil Cost”. Data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services indicate that obstacles such as bureaucracy, high interest rates, legal uncertainty, financing difficulties and logistical costs represent a significant burden on the competitiveness of the national industry.

For the union, these factors cannot be attributed to the shipyards, which have already demonstrated technical capacity in the construction of vessels, offshore platforms, industrial modules and units focused on the oil and gas sector.

Sinaval also highlighted that the recent resumption of activities in the sector has already been generating jobs and moving production chains linked to metallurgy, engineering, technology, transport and specialized services. According to the entity, each direct job in shipyards can generate approximately five additional jobs in other segments of the economy.

The entity also contested the perception that imported vessels would always be superior to those produced in Brazil. The union stated that there are cases of ships and platforms built abroad arriving in the country requiring technical adjustments and corrections before entering into operation.

As a proposal to strengthen the sector, Sinaval defends the adoption of a State policy focused on shipbuilding, with multi-year order programs, expansion of financing lines, strengthening of guarantee mechanisms, stability of local content rules and valorization of technological and strategic criteria in public contracts.

For the union, the discussion about the future of the Brazilian shipping industry goes beyond simple price comparisons. The entity maintains that the sector represents an essential tool for generating jobs, technological innovation, tax collection, logistical development, energy production and strengthening national sovereignty.