WEGEMT visited one of the most active traditional boat building and repair yards in the South East Aegean Sea (island of Kalymnos), in February 2021.

WEGEMT discussed with representatives of the local SMEs owners and personnel, and the main feedback received highlighted two main points: a) the need for upskilling of personnel and b) the need of innovative ways to boost productivity and manufacturing capabilities.

During the discussions, WEGEMT informed the audience about the European EU funded projects that WEGEMT is involved, and concentrated on the projects: a) MATES and the ongoing European skills initiatives (i.e. Pact for Skills) as well as b) MARI4_Yard and the associated latest technological developments that could help small shipyards remain competitive and to overcome the current costs drawback in their own market segments (i.e. AI‐assisted exoskeletons for reducing fatigue and physical stress, worker‐centric tools assisting in the execution of labour intensive tasks etc.).

The island of Kalymnos has a rich tradition in small boat building and its history is bonded with the sea since the ancient times.

Mari4_YARD is a project funded under the EC’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and MATES is co-funded by the ERASMUS+ programme and the European Union.