3.1 Introduction

Shipbuilding has been a vital part of the maritime business since the beginning of shipping. The evolution of shipbuilding can be divided into three pivotal stages, reflecting technological advancements and their impact on sea navigation. The first stage was characterized by the ancient world's invention of the oar and sail, setting the foundation for millennia of sail-dominated sea navigation. The second stage, placed in the Middle Ages, was marked by introducing the stern-mounted rudder and developing multi-masted ships, which enhanced navigational control and efficiency. In the third stage, promoted by the Industrial Revolution, wooden vessels were replaced by those made of iron and steel. This era saw the advancement of steamships (S/S) and motor vessels (M/V), causing a gradual decline in sailing vessels. After WWII, the shipbuilding industry experienced unprecedented growth in parallel with an expansion of maritime trade, leading to advancements in the safety, speed, size and design of ships. Now, the industry stands on the brink of a new stage, a transformative era with the emergence of autonomous, crewless vessels that may be operated by artificial intelligence (AI), which will likely redefine future sea navigation.