The years 1969-2019 establish a half-century where mankind has achieved enormous technological progress in many areas, such as aviation (fly-by-wire), space exploration (Apollo 11, Hubble), computing (microprocessors), biology (Human Genome Project) and quantum mechanics (Standard Model particle detection). In the area of shipping and shipbuilding the technological ‘leap forward’ may seem less spectacular at first sight, but a closer look reveals that the achievements in this branch of industry are equally impressive.