European shipbuilding in a globalised market. Outsourcing and fragmentation in the Italian shipbuilding industry

This report analyses the shipbuilding industry in Italy. Based on 65 interviews (see List of interviews) with workers, managers and key witnesses collected from 2020 to 2024, we highlight how the transformation of shipbuilding in Italy has been based on: (i) increasing internationalisation of production; (ii) strong outsourcing of operations within Italian yards; (iii) substantial change in the composition of the workforce, with the employment of migrant workers; and (iv) a weakening of trade unions. This report is structured as follows. First, an overview of Italian shipbuilding is provided, mentioning both Fincantieri and the other private enterprises operating in the sector. Focusing mainly on Fincantieri as the leading company in the industry, the report then provides a historical overview of the transformations in production that have occurred since the crisis of the 1970s and globalisation. This study then analyses the most recent transformations with regard to financialisation, functioning of subcontracting chains and composition of the working class. Some insights from the Marghera and Monfalcone case studies are reported, before a brief discussion of the survey results.