Computational tools for shipbuilding

Advanced computational systems are essential to Europe’s competitive advantage in the construction, maintenance, conversion and repair of the world’s most complex, high added value ships. Present computational systems are often proprietary, increasingly outdated and difficult to maintain whilst Europe’s competitors are continuing to develop their advanced computational capacity. It is essential that Europe is able to maintain and extend its competitive lead within the high technology shipbuilding segment and that advanced computational tools are developed which in particular are able to integrate a wide range of emerging innovative technologies within designs, such as alternative power systems based on e.g. e-fuels, renewables, electrification, and hybridisation. Systems need to feed into competitive production processes as well as support potential changes to a ship design during its entire life-cycle.

The complexity of such tools and systems calls for novel solutions regarding design and production platforms, infrastructures, and services which may not be within reach of smaller European shipyards and design consultancies. Therefore, new concepts for a reliable and cost efficient roll-out of advanced platforms and tools are expected to be developed and demonstrated.

Furthermore developments should benefit the wider European shipbuilding sector and address the necessary skills development to enable full exploitation of the advanced computation tools.

Proposals should develop advanced innovative computational tools for shipbuilding that increase the European sectors competitiveness by addressing all of the following points:

• Facilitate rapid early stage design to support lower risk bid development particularly when integrating innovative new technologies.
• Provide better capital cost estimations and performance predictions, particularly showing the improvements expected from the inclusion of new technologies.
• Tools to be integrated with ship construction and production, as well as considering supply chain management and future maintenance and repair of vessels.
• Address and quantify the competitiveness gains provided by the tool(s) in the context of the wider European shipbuilding sector.
• Ensure that the tool is robust and resilient against cyber threats.
• Identify and address the necessary skills development needed to achieve the maximum benefit from innovative advanced computational shipbuilding tools.
• Develop a business case to quantify the added value from the developed tool to the shipbuilder concerned and within the context of the wider European shipbuilding sector.