Plates joining is one of the first stage at large vessels manufacturing line, process conditioning the whole shipbuilding production. Laser Arc Hybrid Welding (LAHW) process is nowadays providing promising results for large thickness naval steel, being primarily used for welding plates with thicknesses between 6 to 15 mm, reaching up to 51 mm. In addition to this high penetration ability, LAHW allows increasing the production rates. Therefore, this technology is proposed as an alternative to conventional welding processes in shipbuilding, as it integrates the advantages of laser and arc welding, providing high process stability, high welding speed and penetration, narrow weld beads with a low heat input and good metallurgical properties. The present review reports the most representative investigation regarding the use of this technology to join large thickness flat panels of naval steel. It includes a summary of the most influential process variables, equipment characteristics, material properties, naval regulations, as well as microstructural characterisation and mechanical properties of joints. This review is thought to help readers from different backgrounds, covering from non-expert on welding or on naval sector, to industrial LAHW applicators and researchers. The industrial need of performing one single pass procedure to assure high quality welds of high thickness is suggested as one of the key aspects for future investigations.

The new paradigms of Industry 4.0 force all the industrial sectors to face a deep digital transformation in order to be on the edge in a competitive and globalized scenario. Following this trend, the shipbuilding industry has to establish its own path to adapt itself to the digital era. This chapter aims to explore this challenge and give an outlook on the multiple transformative technologies that are involved. For that reason, a case of study is presented as a starting point, in which the digital technologies that can be applied are easily recognized. A social network analysis (SNA) is developed among these key enabling technologies (KETs), in order to stress their correlations and links. As a result, artificial intelligence (AI) can be highlighted as a support to the other technologies, such as vertical integration of naval production systems (e.g., connectivity, Internet of things, collaborative robotics, etc.), horizontal integration of value networks (e.g., cybersecurity, diversification, etc.), and life cycle reengineering (e.g., drones, 3D printing (3DP), virtual and augmented reality, remote sensing networks, robotics, etc.).

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