EU unveils data-driven plan to make shipbuilding faster and cheaper
The EU-funded Smart European Shipbuilding (SEUS) project started this month and aims to improve the shipbuilding process through computer aids.
The launch comes as the maritime industry increasingly embraces digitization and automation, enabled by rapid advances in data science and software development.
SEUS is supported by a consortium of eight organizations from five European countries, representing different technologies and parts of the design and shipbuilding industry: development of computational tools, industrial applied research and end-users (ie shipyards).
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These partners will work together to create a framework for data-driven shipbuilding. According to the project descriptionthis will be achieved through the development of a new integrated platform comprising “early and detailed ship design solutions”, “data management” and “collaboration software”.
Specifically, the platform will build new practices for human-centered knowledge management, data-driven AI design elements, intelligent technology, and a Industry 5.0 shipbuilding concept. It will also enhance the growth of a European workforce highly skilled in the integration and application of these new technologies.
The ambition of the project is to reduce engineering time by up to 30% and reduce the time required for assembly and construction in EU shipyards by up to 20%. If successful, it is expected to not only accelerate the digital transformation of shipbuilding, but also provide Union shipbuilders with a strong competitive advantage through cost and time savings in the design and production phases.
Finland Cadmatic, Contact software based in Germany and the Netherlands Sarco BV will contribute to technological expertise. Ulstein group in Norway and Astillero Gondan in Spain are the two cooperating shipyards. And three research institutes, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Turku University in Finland and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, represent the academic partners.
SEUS is funded by Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme. The Union is making approximately EUR 7 million available for its implementation.
