Napa updates Steel and Designer software

Finnish software group Napa has released new versions of its design and shipyard software. Napa Steel and Napa Designer have been updated with improved interfaces with class society software. This should streamline ship design compliance with harmonised common structural rules (CSR) for bulk carriers and oil tankers, which were introduced earlier this year.

Napa Steel is used for 3D modelling of ships and Napa Designer is a geometry modelling tool. The updates will eliminate duplication between software systems and reduce the work needed to ensure designs are compliant with the new rules.

The CSR unifies and expands on existing structural rules from the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). It came into effect for tankers over 150m in length and bulkers of more than 90m on 1 July. With the changes implemented, Napa Steel and Napa Designer can interface with independent rule check software that class societies have recently developed. These include Bureau Veritas’ Mars2000, PrimeShip-Hull from Napa parent company ClassNK, Lloyd’s Register’s RulesCalc as well as DNV GL’s Poseidon and Nauticus Hull programs.

Napa Designer was developed as an interactive 3D modelling interface for ship designers that use a conventional 2D approach. Napa worked with Tekes, the Finnish funding agency for innovation, and design agency Idean on Napa Designer.