Which key event occurs after the contract award in ship construction?

After the contract award in ship construction, the laying of the keel is a significant milestone that marks the beginning of the physical construction process of the vessel. This event typically signifies that the project is moving from the planning and design phase into the actual assembly of the ship.

Laying the keel involves placing the first structural piece of the ship, providing a strong foundation for the rest of the construction. It is traditionally a ceremonial event as well, symbolizing the start of the shipbuilding journey and representing the commitment to the project made through the contract.

The other events mentioned, such as detail design, inspections, testing, and launching, occur at different stages of the shipbuilding process. Detail design comes before the actual construction starts, and inspections and testing occur throughout and after the construction, while launching and christening take place when the ship is completed and ready for its first entry into the water. Thus, laying the keel is the key event that directly follows the contract award.