shipwork en · NOUN
Etymology
From ship + -work.
Meanings
-
(uncountable) The work of building and repairing ships.
To my mind, it appears obvious in the context of total shipwork, the private shipyards are doing very well indeed. It is true that with the dwindling size of the Navy, there will be less repair work.
1974, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations, Department of Defense Appropriations for 1975: Hearings..., page 320: