McKinsey’s work in the maritime industry

This page describes McKinsey’s capabilities in helping shipyards and maritime industry clients unlock operational performance, attract and develop a skilled labor force, create supply chain resiliency, and implement digital capabilities.

Examples of how we help clients

We partner with our clients to transform their operations and organization; improving productivity and profitability, increasing supply chain resiliency and deploying digital & analytics to deliver near-term impact and lay the foundation to scale.

Our proprietary assets, solutions and recipes help clients:

  • Accelerate manufacturing throughput
  • Improve asset reliability and utilization
  • Hire, train, and retain skilled workforce
  • Unlock organizational effectiveness
  • Deliver bottom-line impact
  • Capture value from digital, analytics, and Industry 4.0 solutions

Featured Insights

Silhouette of a ship and crane during sunset at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Article
Rising tide: How private equity can lift the shipbuilding industry
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Demand for military and commercial vessels is outpacing supply. Private equity investments that improve shipyard efficiency could...
Designer engineer with vacuum coating machine for automotive battery use
McKinsey Direct
How high-complexity, low-volume manufacturers can reach full potential
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Under pressure to ramp up production, manufacturers of advanced products can take six tactical steps to streamline their operations,...
Aerial view of urban landscape with river and industry
Article
Redeveloping legacy sites to boost global maritime industry capacity
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How can the global commercial and defense maritime industry meet the recent spike in demand while saving time and costs? With...
Sea spray
Article
Shifting currents: The role of shipbuilders in enhancing naval fleets
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As the global security context changes, government defense budgets are shifting. Shipbuilders could adjust their offerings in...
Ship Maintenance in Dry Dock at Night, Hamburg Harbor
Article
How product-focused operations can accelerate global shipbuilding
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A new operating model can help the global commercial and defense shipbuilding industry address bottlenecks and ramp up production...
A group of four employees wearing blue and grey coveralls are gathered around a senior colleague in a metal workshop. The senior staff member is holding a piece of part and gesturing towards it as they explain something to the others.
Article
The talent gap: The value at stake for global aerospace and defense
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The aerospace and defense industry is under pressure from labor shortfalls and increasing demand. By focusing on five talent...
Welder in protective workwear on scaffold is welding the old rusty vessel hull in shipyard area at sunset time
Article
Charting a new course: The untapped potential of American shipyards
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Amid escalating demand, aging infrastructure, and a strained talent supply, the American shipbuilding, sustainment, and repair...
A man welding inside a shipbuilding factory - stock photo
McKinsey Direct
Why flow matters most in highly complex manufacturing
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To meet escalating demand for the latest advanced products, companies need a better way to handle the interactions and uncertainties...
Computer neural network concept image - stock photo
Article
A rising wave of tech disruptors: The future of defense innovation?
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Nontraditional sources of innovation are transforming the defense sector with powerful capabilities—but they must overcome...
Portrait of a Young Team of Multicultural Engineers with Tablet and Laptop Computers
Article
Europe’s gray-to-green workforce transition in aerospace and defense
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The global aerospace and defense sector is facing a talent crisis as its workforce ages, particularly in Europe. Attracting and...
US Air force Hercules resting on skis on a sea ice tarmac. - stock photo
Article
Taking off: Scaling complex manufacturing in the aerospace industry
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OEMs in high-complexity, low-volume industries face skyrocketing demand. But it’s now possible to scale production in ways...

Our People

Ryan Brukardt
Senior PartnerMiami
Advises global aerospace, defense, and space companies on achieving sustainable growth and operational excellence
Brooke Weddle
Senior PartnerWashington DC
Drives lasting change at scale for global organizations through digital transformation, operating-model redesign, enterprise...
Daniel Pacthod
Senior PartnerNew York
Heads the firm’s global initiative to develop future senior McKinsey and client leaders; serves diverse clients in technology,...
Tiffany Burns
Senior PartnerAtlanta
Leads the Atlanta Office and serves consumer-facing organizations on broad transformation efforts to significantly improve performance...
Nick Mellors
PartnerSeattle
Leads operational transformations for advanced industrial companies, helping realize the great potential of workforces aided...
Matthieu Dussud
PartnerParis
Supports and advises global resource-based companies and advanced industries on capital excellence, operations transformation...
Emma Loxton
PartnerLondon
Works with companies across the travel and defense industries to build and deliver strategies and improve commercial performance...
Tom Brinded
PartnerLondon
Leads megaproject and operational transformations within the resources sector and across infrastructure assets, with a focus...
Tom Kolaja
Senior PartnerLondon
Coleads our activist response work in Europe and leads global clients undergoing transformation, managing through distress, or...
Elizabeth Foote
PartnerLondon
Advises industrial companies across energy, resources, and infrastructure on transformation with a particular focus on the energy...

Questions?

Contact us