As European shipbuilding faces a generational labour shortage, particularly in hull fabrication, piping systems, and structural outfitting, the need for qualified external manpower has become urgent. For yards in the Netherlands, Croatia, Poland, Norway, and Germany, Vietnamese welders for shipbuilding are emerging as one of the most reliable, technically proficient, and deployment-ready workforce sources.
Vietnam’s welders are not new to maritime work. Their experience spans military ship contracts, oil and gas supply vessels, cargo ship retrofits, and offshore platform modules. Certified under ISO and ASME standards, and often possessing previous deployment experience, these welders arrive site-ready and tested, equipped to support newbuilds and repairs alike.
Why European Shipyards Are Turning to Vietnamese Welders
European shipyards are under pressure from:
- A shrinking domestic welder population
- Tighter delivery schedules for naval and commercial orders
- Rising project complexity in LNG carriers, offshore vessels, and green retrofits
- Stricter classification rules for quality and safety
Vietnamese welders offer a cost-efficient, high-quality alternative that helps meet contractual timelines without compromising compliance.
Key advantages include:
- TIG/MMA and FCAW process proficiency
- 6G pipe and full-penetration hull seam capabilities
- High endurance for shift work in enclosed, vertical, or overhead positions
- Experience with IACS member classification (e.g., DNV, LR, BV) expectations
Moreover, their ability to adapt to evolving shipbuilding technologies—including green fuel retrofits and integrated modular construction—makes them future-ready.
The Scope of Work Vietnamese Welders Can Cover in Shipyards
Vietnamese welders for shipbuilding are qualified to deliver:
- Hull fabrication: Flat and curved panel welding, longitudinal and transverse seams
- Pipe welding: Stainless and carbon steel process piping in tight compartments
- Outfitting: Bracket welding, foundations, stairways, and equipment mounts
- Retrofit welding: Fuel system modification, ballast water treatment systems
- Superstructure: Aluminium welding for deckhouses and bridge assemblies
They also contribute to:
- Tank and ballast system modifications
- HVAC system duct supports and integration
- Fire zone and cable tray bracket welding
Whether on steel, stainless, or aluminium, they can work under position restrictions and perform visual, UT, or RT compliant welds for class acceptance.
Training and Certification Alignment
Before deployment, Vietnamese welders for shipbuilding are certified under:
- ISO 9606-1: Welders qualification—steel
- ASME IX: For international process and pressure vessel standards
- EN 287 (when still requested)
- Class society tests: DNV, LR, RINA, BV for marine applications
Labour Link Vietnam ensures that each welder is tested in:
- Vertical, overhead, and fillet positions
- Butt joints and pipe-to-plate configurations
- TIG root pass and SMAW/FCAW fill/cap techniques
These tests are conducted in facilities simulating onboard ship conditions—low clearance, limited light, and constrained mobility—to guarantee operational realism.
Adapting to Shipyard Working Conditions
Shipbuilding presents unique challenges: confined spaces, heat, vibration, multi-craft coordination, and continuous inspections. Vietnamese welders are pre-screened for endurance, safety awareness, and adaptability.
In prior European deployments, they have demonstrated:
- Willingness to work split shifts and extended rotations
- Quick adjustment to multilingual crews
- Adherence to welding sequence plans and class inspections
- Familiarity with shipyard hierarchy and task reporting chains
Their experience with hot work permits, daily permit-to-work compliance, and cross-department coordination ensures minimal disruptions on complex builds.
Deployment Efficiency and Project Integration
Labour Link Vietnam can deploy complete welding teams within 4–6 weeks, including:
- Welders
- Pipe fitters
- Structural fitters
- Welding foremen
Each team arrives with valid work permits, insurance coverage, and tool readiness. They participate in site inductions and safety briefings before joining active blocks or dock teams.
These teams are pre-organised to follow local HSE standards, welding procedure specifications (WPS), and shipyard schedules without lengthy orientation phases. Digital logbooks, visual weld archives, and language-bridging foremen ensure seamless integration.
Sample European Projects Using Vietnamese Welders
- Gdańsk, Poland: Hull block welding for cruise ship sections
- Split, Croatia: Offshore maintenance barge retrofits
- Rotterdam, Netherlands: LNG bunkering vessel fabrication
- Bergen, Norway: Stern tube pipework and bracket welding
- Hamburg, Germany: Ballast water retrofit on container vessels
These deployments were backed by class-signed weld procedures, real-time supervision, and traceable productivity logs.
Additional assignments included:
- Superstructure TIG/MIG work on high-speed passenger ferries
- Engine room steel retrofits with confined entry protocol
- Vessel reflagging support (code-conversion compliance)
Legal Compliance and Labour Oversight
Vietnamese welders for shipbuilding are deployed under full EU legal compliance:
- Posting of Workers Directive
- Work visa sponsorships via certified clients
- Social security contributions as per host country
- Safety cards (VCA, SCC) where required
Labour Link Vietnam ensures that the entire process—from testing to onboarding—is traceable, transparent, and audit-ready.
Why Vietnamese Welders Excel in Shipbuilding Environments
Shipbuilding requires precision, speed, and stamina. Vietnamese welders bring:
- High arc time reliability with minimal absenteeism
- Clean, repeatable welds under class scrutiny
- Cultural adaptability and respect for command structures
They’ve also been trained in documentation discipline, including:
- Weld numbering and tracking systems
- Non-destructive testing prep
- Daily and weekly productivity reporting
For shipyards facing not only labour gaps but reputational risk under delayed deliveries or class rejections, Vietnamese teams offer measurable reliability.
When to Consider Vietnamese Welders for Your Yard
Hiring Vietnamese welders is a strategic solution when:
- You face a tight build schedule with staffing shortfalls
- The required welding positions are hard to fill locally
- You need reliable work quality under classification rules
- You require cost predictability over months-long fabrication cycles
In these cases, Vietnamese welders become not just workers but an extension of your core crew.
Ready to Reinforce Your Shipyard Workforce?
Labour Link Vietnam stands ready to deploy certified, experienced Vietnamese welders for shipbuilding across Europe. From initial testing to mobilisation, we ensure that each welder arrives ready for class inspection and dockside delivery.
Contact us today to access deployment schedules, certification portfolios, and ready-to-work teams tailored to your yard’s next project.