Concerns over shipbuilding quality are mounting due to labour shortages, delegates at a TradeWinds conference in Hamburg heard.

Despite rising orders for newbuildings and retrofits, the number of shipyard workers has not increased.

Owners and operators are concerned over the quality of new vessels and secondhand parts for repairs and maintenance, as well as newbuildings having adequate supervision to meet building standards, attendees at TradeWinds Shipowners Forum were told.