The shipbuilding industry is one of the most critical and strategic sectors, whose development can trigger a wide chain of manufacturers and suppliers. Accordingly, this study aims to identify and prioritize the factors influencing the adoption of the Design for Supply Chain (DFSC) approach in the Iranian shipbuilding industry. In this research, the key factors affecting the implementation of the DFSC approach were first identified through a comprehensive literature review and expert opinions. Subsequently, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) multi-criteria decision-making technique the factors were prioritized based on their importance and impact. Data were collected through structured interviews with 10 industry experts. The results revealed that ship design complexity, the costs associated with implementing the DFSC approach, and challenges related to parts standardization are the most influential factors, respectively. This case study in the shipbuilding industry can serve as a practical guide for identifying key indicators affecting the DFSC approach in other similar complex industries.