Vigo boosts Spain to become the second shipbuilder in Europe

Private shipyards reached their highest level in 15 years in 2025 with 65 vessels on order worth €3 billion. Galician shipyards account for 40% of the order book.

Spain has reaffirmed its second-place ranking in Europe in the shipbuilding sector, both in terms of contracts and order book, of which more than 40% corresponds to Galician private shipyards, especially those in Vigo. The sector reached its highest level of activity in the last 15 years in 2025 with 65 vessels on the national order book worth €3 billion, and more than 90% of the contracts destined for export. This was announced yesterday by the

Spanish Minister of Industry, Jordi Hereu, who confirmed the positive momentum of this industry after a meeting with the employers' association Pymar.

The Minister confirmed the Spanish shipbuilding industry is building over 20% of the global order book with hydrogen-based capabilities. Vigo is the leading power in offshore wind energy in the European Union, as well as in passenger transport and marine research. It is precisely in this last market niche that Vigo contributes the most, thanks to its position as an international benchmark. Freire and Armón alone currently have half a dozen oceanographic vessels under construction for countries such as Northern Ireland, Portugal, France, Saudi Arabia, and Denmark.

Hereu also highlighted the activity in shipbuilding and repair, with more than a thousand contracts throughout Spain and a turnover increase of over 15% compared to the average of the last five years. "It is a strategic sector for our economy that represents the effort, innovation, and resilience of our industry," the minister stated.

The shipyards of Vigo and Marín account for 40% of naval activity at the national level, according to the annual statistics from the Ministry of Industry. Armón and Freire are leading the way with some twenty contracts between them, encompassing oceanographic, fishing, and aquaculture vessels, as well as multipurpose ships, mega yachts, sailboats, defence support vessels, and wind farm projects.

"These are record levels of activity," Pymar stated. The association conveyed to the minister the positive situation of private shipyards, which places Spain at the forefront of the global shipbuilding industry. "Our shipyards have reached record levels of activity and are leading key markets for European strategic autonomy," noted Pymar CEO Almudena López del Pozo, who emphasized the current trend among countries to strengthen their industrial capabilities in defence and security. The association also highlighted the growing demand in sectors such as renewable energy, passenger and freight transport, and food, which represents a significant opportunity for the shipbuilding industry. The meeting also addressed the EU's new Maritime Industrial Strategy.

Fuente: Atlántico Diario