What trends are shaping shipbuilding futures?

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Written by Ludmila Seppälä

Posted on October 14, 2024

In today's world, everything is digital, and as a technology company, Cadmatic is at the forefront of the digital transformation in shipbuilding. Where are we heading?

What trends are shaping the shipbuilding industry, and how do they connect with the work we're doing? In this blog, I explore some of the most significant shifts in the field, covering technology, digitalization, and sustainability.

The rise of new technologies in shipbuilding

Technology has advanced rapidly, and shipbuilding is no exception. Just think about how much our mobile phones have changed in the past decade – shipbuilding technology is evolving just as quickly. Additive manufacturing, for instance, is already making waves in the industry, with spare parts being printed using 3D printers. Robotization is also gaining ground, pushing us deeper into Industry 4.0, where the boundaries between the digital world and manufacturing blur. Another example is energy efficiency and the adoption of e-fuels.

These advancements open up new possibilities. From increasing efficiency to lowering costs, technology is revolutionizing how we build ships. It’s no longer about manual work–automated systems and digital models are taking center stage.

Implications of digital shift for shipbuilders

As shipbuilders, we’re seeing significant changes in how we work, driven by digitalization. No more paper-based processes, fewer emails, and more collaborative tools like shared digital platforms where 3D models take center stage.

Digital twins and digital threads are becoming central to our processes, seamlessly integrating data from various software sources. This shift doesn’t just affect how we work – it transforms how we think about managing information and streamlining complex workflows.

At the heart of this digital revolution lies information management. Year by year, the volume of information grows exponentially, and how we handle it becomes ever more critical. In shipbuilding, information is power: it helps us build more environmentally friendly vessels and increasingly complex ships faster, while requiring fewer resources.

Sustainability is a global imperative

Perhaps the biggest change on the horizon for shipbuilding is sustainability. This year, less than one percent of the current global fleet runs on alternative energy, but the tide is turning. According to data from DNV, around 25% of future ships in the order books will rely on non-standard energy sources like hydrogen and electricity. This trend isn’t just about reducing emissions; it’s about fundamentally rethinking how we design and power ships with e-fuels, WASP and other emerging technologies.

For shipbuilders, this means adapting to new materials, technologies, and energy sources. The industry is moving towards a greener future, and we need to be ready. It’s not just about following regulations, it’s about leading the way in creating environmentally friendly, sustainable vessels.

Concept images of the Icon of the Seas. Images courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Digital models, processes, and assets: The future of shipbuilding

Shipbuilding is becoming more complex, with vessels like the Icon of the Seas – a 365-meter-long ship carrying 7,500 passengers – illustrating the level of intricacy involved in modern projects. As we move forward, shipbuilders are increasingly relying on digital models to manage this complexity. Digital tools allow us to visualize and optimize designs in ways that weren’t possible before.

But it’s not just the models that are changing. The processes behind shipbuilding are evolving too. Project management, change management, and information management are all being reimagined with digital tools to help us work faster, more consistently, and with greater efficiency. This is digital shipbuilding in action.

And it doesn’t stop when the ship hits the water. The digital model of a ship can continue to serve throughout its lifecycle, from initial design to maintenance and upgrades. The ongoing question is: who should own this digital asset – the shipyard, the classification society, or the owner? This is a key debate as we explore the full potential of digital twins.

Shipbuilding 5.0 is around the corner

We’re already talking about Shipbuilding 4.0, but the future is fast approaching with Shipbuilding 5.0. This new era will add sustainability, resilience, and human-centricity to the mix.

While digitalization and automation have been key drivers of change, Shipbuilding 5.0 emphasizes the role of people.

In this human-centric approach, we aim to use technology to empower people – not replace them. AI tools, like those being rolled out by Microsoft and already integrated into Cadmatic solutions, are designed to support our teams, allowing us to focus on what we do best: building better ships for a better world. AI is already entering the shipbuilding space, and soon it will act as a co-pilot, helping us work smarter and more efficiently.