Key Insights from the 2023 Shipbuilding and Lifecycle Technology 4.0 Event
The 2023 Shipbuilding and Lifecycle Technology 4.0 Event brought together leaders from across the shipbuilding industry to discuss the latest innovations and best practices being developed in shipyards and throughout ship lifecycles. As a proud supporter of the event, Virtalis was excited to hear from industry experts over the course of two days about how new approaches and technologies are making significant advances while addressing the challenges the sector faces.
As part of the event’s insight sessions, Virtalis’ own John Maxfield and Paul McColl shared their perspectives on how and why shipbuilders can implement immersive technology into their processes. (You can find the full recording of their session at the end of this post.)
We’ve gathered our key takeaways on why digital transformation is critical to the future of the shipbuilding industry and how it can drive sustainable innovation and improve collaboration.
Sustainability is at the heart of future build strategies
Shipbuilders and shipyards are facing increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact. Major topics such as decarbonisation, recycling, and second-life principles are becoming central to the shipbuilding agenda. This shift is reflected in new legislation, such as IMO 2023, which is part of the International Maritime Organization’s Greenhouse Gas Strategy. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions from international shipping by 40% by 2030 and by 70% by 2050, compared to 2008 levels.
To meet these ambitious goals, many organisations are investing heavily in Research and Development (R&D) to improve sustainability in both the design and manufacture of ships. One of the most exciting advancements helping to achieve these goals is the integration of virtual reality (VR) technology.
By incorporating VR systems into their processes, shipbuilders can test different designs, propulsion systems, and construction methods in a virtual environment before committing to real-world builds. This reduces the need for costly physical prototypes and allows for early identification of design flaws, leading to more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly vessels.
With cloud-based VR applications, teams can collaborate remotely, reducing the need for travel and cutting emissions. These applications allow teams to share insights and feedback in real time, making the entire process more efficient and reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional face-to-face meetings.
Data sharing is more important than ever
In 2017, The Economist declared that “the world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data.” This statement holds especially true today in the shipbuilding industry as it undergoes a digital transformation. The sheer volume of data created and used by modern shipyards needs to be carefully handled—securely stored but also easily shared with relevant stakeholders.
When data is shared effectively, it enables better data-driven decisions throughout the shipbuilding process, from design to construction and through to the operational lifecycle. This is where technologies such as digital twins and the digital thread come into play. These tools enhance connectivity and collaboration among shipbuilders, partners, and suppliers, ensuring the right information is delivered to the right people at the right time.
The digital thread is key to achieving this goal. By sharing all relevant data about a vessel throughout its lifecycle, shipbuilders can track performance metrics from the design phase to in-service use and eventually to decommissioning and recycling. A digital twin offers a virtual representation of the ship, continuously updated with real-time data, allowing engineers to monitor and manage the vessel more effectively.
This data-sharing ecosystem also supports sustainability efforts by enabling predictive maintenance. Rather than relying on preventive maintenance schedules that can result in unnecessary repairs, predictive maintenance ensures that only components in need of attention are serviced, reducing waste and improving overall efficiency.
Embracing change is crucial for success
One recurring theme throughout the event was that the shipbuilding industry has historically lagged behind other industries in terms of digital transformation. However, many shipyards are now recognising the benefits of product lifecycle management (PLM) and are beginning to adopt new technologies and tools to enhance efficiency and improve vessel performance.
The shift to a data-driven approach is not without its challenges. Data silos—where information is isolated and difficult to access—can impede the flow of vital insights. Additionally, employees need to be trained on how to effectively utilise new tools and datasets. Automation can help streamline data collection, allowing staff to focus on higher-level tasks rather than manual data entry.
As the industry moves forward, conferences and trade shows like the Shipbuilding and Lifecycle Technology 4.0 event are essential for fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge. These events allow shipbuilders to learn from other industries, apply best practices, and ensure they are adopting the most effective technologies for their needs.
How immersive technology is driving digital transformation in shipbuilding
One of the key takeaways from Virtalis’ presentation at the event was the importance of adopting immersive technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality (AR) to enhance ship design, manufacturing, and training processes. These tools offer shipbuilders the ability to create and test designs in 3D environments, providing a more detailed view of potential challenges before physical builds begin.
Immersive technologies also streamline collaboration across teams, enabling real-time feedback and decision-making without requiring everyone to be in the same physical location. For an industry that often involves large teams spread across different locations, this can significantly reduce time and costs while improving the overall quality of the final product.
Driving the Future of Shipbuilding
The 2023 Shipbuilding and Lifecycle Technology 4.0 Event highlighted how the industry is transforming to meet the challenges of the future. Digital transformation, sustainability, and immersive technology are at the forefront of this evolution, helping shipbuilders increase efficiency, reduce their environmental impact, and drive innovation across the sector.
If you’re looking to begin or advance your own digital transformation journey, drop us a line to learn how Virtalis can help your organisation implement the latest in immersive visualisation and virtual reality solutions.