Editorial Note

The Science and Technology Corporation for the Development of the Naval, Maritime, and Riverine Industries (COTECMAR, for the term in Spanish) has gained recognition from COLCIENCIAS as a Center for Sectoral Technological Development.

During 2011, COTECMAR led in the construction of the Value Proposal that permitted including the shipyard sector among world-class sectors to be promoted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, through the Productive Transformation Program.

Likewise, in association with the “Almirante Padilla” Naval School, Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, Universidad del Norte, and the Cartagena Chamber of Commerce, COTECMAR generated the Naval Engineering and Design macro-project presented in the Caribbean region to be funded through resources from the Science and Technology Fund of the General Royalty System that seeks to “enhance the innovation capacities of the Naval Construction and Design sector of the Colombian Caribbean region by developing specific projects associated to high-impact products, technological services, and acceleration of technology-based companies”, which will propitiate improved competitiveness of the national shipyard sector.

This issue of Ship Science and Technology (Ciencia y Tecnología de Buques) is dedicated to this particular topic, competitiveness, and to introduce the scientific articles included in it, I have invited Thomas Lamb, professional and professor with vast international recognition. I hope you enjoy this special issue of Ship Science and Technology.

Commander, OSCAR DARÍO TASCÓN MUÑOZ