Subcontractor selection in shipyards

Shipyards are industrial establishments responsible for the construction, maintenance and repair of seafaring vessels, holding strategic importance for their countries. While shipyards meet part of their workforce needs through permanent employees, they also procure services from subcontractors to fulfill additional labor requirements. Consequently, it is imperative for shipyards to accurately ascertain evaluation criteria and to select the most appropriate subcontractor. In this study, primary and sub-criteria for subcontractor selection were identified by utilizing previous literature. A survey instrument was developed according to the specified criteria and subjected to evaluation by experts employed in shipyards in the Altınova region of Yalova. The obtained data were analysed using the ‘Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP)-Based Approach,’ and the significance levels of the criteria influencing subcontractor selection were determined. The TOPSIS method was finally applied using the previously determined criteria weights, and the most suitable subcontractor was selected for a shipyard operating in the region.