Concrete ship

Concrete ships are ships with hulls built primarily with concrete reinforced with steel rather than steel or wood. There are also similar ships made of ferrocement. The advantages of concrete construction are that materials are cheaper and readily available, maintenance is easier, they are fire-resistant, and the ships experience fewer vibrations. The disadvantages are that their labor and operating costs are higher, the ships weigh more, and they are less durable than steel. During the late 19th century, there were concrete river barges and pleasure craft in Europe, and during both World War I and World War II, steel shortages led the US military to order the construction of small fleets of ocean-going concrete ships. Few concrete ships were completed in time to see wartime service during World War I, but concrete ships and barges were used to support Allied forces in World War II.