Japanese heavyweights join collaborative digital twin project

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), Kyokuyo Shipyard Corp, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co, and Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering have joined the cross-industry digital twin project.

They will collaborate in a project aimed at developing a platform enabling 3D models created during the ship design stage to be shared in a secure, access-controlled digital environment. Partners will discuss the feasibility of increased data sharing between stakeholders and overcoming hurdles around sharing sensitive design and operational information.

Digital twins will contribute to improving the operational efficiency and safety of ships, and provide invaluable insights for maintenance.

Involved in this project are Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), NYK Group company MTI Co, Mitsui OSK Lines, Marubeni Corp and Marubeni Group company MMSL Japan, plus shipbuilders Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United Corp and Usuki Shipyard, software and data services provider Napa, and classification society ClassNK.

Sharing design data and operational information could create new revenue streams for shipyards, solution providers and shipowners, with mechanisms developed to share the benefits between stakeholders.

“Through this endeavour, we aspire to create innovation by integrating existing maritime technologies, such as wind propulsion, with cutting-edge ICT and digitalisation techniques, with the goal of making a meaningful contribution to the industry,” said Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering director and chief general manager of the business and technical division Akihiko Masutani.