Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SEUS (SMART EUROPEAN SHIPBUILDING)
Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-12-31
The European shipbuilding industry faces many challenges, including increased competition from Asia, economic uncertainty, and a growing demand for more sustainable vessels. However, despite these obstacles, the industry remains an essential player in the global maritime sector. Improving the efficiency and competitiveness of European Shipyards is one of the priorities of the HORIZON program, funded by the European Commission. The proper use of computational tools can accelerate this improvement, given that the shipbuilding industry faces a digitalization gap compared to other manufacturing industries.
The Smart Europen Shipbuilding Project (SEUS) project is working to establish a digital framework for European shipyards by developing an integrated platform that
combines CAE, CAD, CAM, and PDM software. This platform is currently being tested at shipyards and developed using the expertise of academic and industrial consortium participants. The goal is to create new practices for human- centric knowledge management, data- driven AI design elements, intelligent technology, and the Industry 5.0 concept in shipbuilding.Improving the flow of digital information and streamlining work processes present opportunities for reducing time and costs, resulting in significant economic benefits for the shipbuilding industry.
The main objectives of the SEUS project are:
• Computational tool platform solution for PLM approach in shipbuilding
• Facilitation of digital transformation of shipbuilding,
• Increase in traceability and integration of early design impacts on the design process,
• Competitive advantage for EU shipbuilders through time savings in design and production stages,
• Expansion of shipyard’s exposure to ship’s life cycle: for retrofit, revitalization, use of data from operation and maintenance,
• Management of shipbuilding knowledge with a focus on human needs,
• EU maritime workforce skills and expertise development.
The technology readiness level (TRL) targeted by the project is 8-9, corresponding to the maturity level of a completed and qualified (tested in a large-scale pilot installation) platform, ready for a commercially competitive operational environment. The current release of the cloud solution in in the process of integrating existing computational tools with TRL 9, commercially exploited in shipbuilding. It will later incorporate Industry 5.0 concepts (human-centricity, sustainability, and circular economy) and progress through the process of maturing TRL from level 4 (initial technology validated by combining existing software parts, including AI and ML) to level 7-9 (integrated platform with developed use cases, tested in shipyards).
The Smart Europen Shipbuilding Project (SEUS) project is working to establish a digital framework for European shipyards by developing an integrated platform that
combines CAE, CAD, CAM, and PDM software. This platform is currently being tested at shipyards and developed using the expertise of academic and industrial consortium participants. The goal is to create new practices for human- centric knowledge management, data- driven AI design elements, intelligent technology, and the Industry 5.0 concept in shipbuilding.Improving the flow of digital information and streamlining work processes present opportunities for reducing time and costs, resulting in significant economic benefits for the shipbuilding industry.
The main objectives of the SEUS project are:
• Computational tool platform solution for PLM approach in shipbuilding
• Facilitation of digital transformation of shipbuilding,
• Increase in traceability and integration of early design impacts on the design process,
• Competitive advantage for EU shipbuilders through time savings in design and production stages,
• Expansion of shipyard’s exposure to ship’s life cycle: for retrofit, revitalization, use of data from operation and maintenance,
• Management of shipbuilding knowledge with a focus on human needs,
• EU maritime workforce skills and expertise development.
The technology readiness level (TRL) targeted by the project is 8-9, corresponding to the maturity level of a completed and qualified (tested in a large-scale pilot installation) platform, ready for a commercially competitive operational environment. The current release of the cloud solution in in the process of integrating existing computational tools with TRL 9, commercially exploited in shipbuilding. It will later incorporate Industry 5.0 concepts (human-centricity, sustainability, and circular economy) and progress through the process of maturing TRL from level 4 (initial technology validated by combining existing software parts, including AI and ML) to level 7-9 (integrated platform with developed use cases, tested in shipyards).
The project is divided into seven work packages (WPs).
Up to M18, WP1 (Best Practices in Shipbuilding) focused on gathering open information and identifying best practices in smart shipbuilding (D1.1 M18), conducting an industrial survey (D1.2 M18), and preparing a development roadmap (D1.3). Current work supports the remaining WPs toward compiling the SEUS framework, to be delivered in M48 (D1.4).
WP2 (CAD + PLM Platform Development) leads the digital tool development. Deliverables include the roadmap and backlog (D2.1 M24), data model structure and mapping (D2.2 M36), software releases (D2.3 M36), and workflow documentation (D2.4 M36). WP2 develops the integrated WAVE platform, incorporating insights from WPs 1 and 5, and aligning with WPs 3 and 4. Current efforts focus on the Generic Data Model for Shipbuilding Projects (D2.5 M46).
WP3 (Open Platform Development) advances interoperability, AI capabilities, and cybersecurity governance. Interoperability requires close collaboration between software developers and academic partners. AI work has accelerated due to rapid developments such as large language models. Cybersecurity has been a priority from the start, with workshops held for all partners. By M36, the CAD interoperability interface (D3.1) and automated/interconnected AI services (D3.3) were delivered. Additional deliverables are scheduled after M36. Several results are already produced, such as scientific articles on open maritime data models, a beta-version of retrieval‑augmented generation using proprietary maritime data, and cybersecurity guidelines for the consortium.
WP4 (Implementation at Shipyards) validates the platform in industrial environments. Deliverables D4.1 (M18), D4.2 (M24), and D4.4 (M36) describe use cases and participants from both Norwegian and Spanish shipyards. Training material and a training plan (D4.3 M36) were completed. A final analysis of findings is planned for M42.
WP5 (Knowledge Management & Skills Development) focuses on human aspects and knowledge transfer. D5.1 (M24) presented a framework combining formal and tacit knowledge. D5.2 (M46) will integrate AI results into user‑oriented information. A smart shipbuilding activity map has been developed, emphasizing human–machine interaction. Business models for exploitation are also considered, with outcomes expected by M42. Learning‑technology training (D5.5 M36) delivered and evaluated a digital learning solution created within SEUS.
WP6 (Communication & Dissemination) promotes project visibility and outreach. An initial exploitation and dissemination plan was delivered in M6 (D6.6). By M36, the consortium reported 25 conference participations and 142 outreach activities (news, talks, workshops, scientific papers), including 35 peer-reviewed articles. Public‑oriented materials, such as the SEUS 2024 annual report, were produced. FAIR-compliant tools such as GitHub, Zenodo, and the project website were established (D6.1 M12, D6.3 M12), supported by IP management rules (D6.4 M18). Upcoming work includes customer‑oriented material, training content, and an updated dissemination plan.
Finally, WP7 (Project Management) ensures coordination of financial, technical, and legal activities. During the first six months, it delivered the management and quality plan (D7.1 M6), risk management plan (D7.2 M6), and initial DMP (D7.3 M6). Updates to the DMP were completed at M18 (D7.4) and M36 (D7.5). A final update (D7.6) is planned for M48
Up to M18, WP1 (Best Practices in Shipbuilding) focused on gathering open information and identifying best practices in smart shipbuilding (D1.1 M18), conducting an industrial survey (D1.2 M18), and preparing a development roadmap (D1.3). Current work supports the remaining WPs toward compiling the SEUS framework, to be delivered in M48 (D1.4).
WP2 (CAD + PLM Platform Development) leads the digital tool development. Deliverables include the roadmap and backlog (D2.1 M24), data model structure and mapping (D2.2 M36), software releases (D2.3 M36), and workflow documentation (D2.4 M36). WP2 develops the integrated WAVE platform, incorporating insights from WPs 1 and 5, and aligning with WPs 3 and 4. Current efforts focus on the Generic Data Model for Shipbuilding Projects (D2.5 M46).
WP3 (Open Platform Development) advances interoperability, AI capabilities, and cybersecurity governance. Interoperability requires close collaboration between software developers and academic partners. AI work has accelerated due to rapid developments such as large language models. Cybersecurity has been a priority from the start, with workshops held for all partners. By M36, the CAD interoperability interface (D3.1) and automated/interconnected AI services (D3.3) were delivered. Additional deliverables are scheduled after M36. Several results are already produced, such as scientific articles on open maritime data models, a beta-version of retrieval‑augmented generation using proprietary maritime data, and cybersecurity guidelines for the consortium.
WP4 (Implementation at Shipyards) validates the platform in industrial environments. Deliverables D4.1 (M18), D4.2 (M24), and D4.4 (M36) describe use cases and participants from both Norwegian and Spanish shipyards. Training material and a training plan (D4.3 M36) were completed. A final analysis of findings is planned for M42.
WP5 (Knowledge Management & Skills Development) focuses on human aspects and knowledge transfer. D5.1 (M24) presented a framework combining formal and tacit knowledge. D5.2 (M46) will integrate AI results into user‑oriented information. A smart shipbuilding activity map has been developed, emphasizing human–machine interaction. Business models for exploitation are also considered, with outcomes expected by M42. Learning‑technology training (D5.5 M36) delivered and evaluated a digital learning solution created within SEUS.
WP6 (Communication & Dissemination) promotes project visibility and outreach. An initial exploitation and dissemination plan was delivered in M6 (D6.6). By M36, the consortium reported 25 conference participations and 142 outreach activities (news, talks, workshops, scientific papers), including 35 peer-reviewed articles. Public‑oriented materials, such as the SEUS 2024 annual report, were produced. FAIR-compliant tools such as GitHub, Zenodo, and the project website were established (D6.1 M12, D6.3 M12), supported by IP management rules (D6.4 M18). Upcoming work includes customer‑oriented material, training content, and an updated dissemination plan.
Finally, WP7 (Project Management) ensures coordination of financial, technical, and legal activities. During the first six months, it delivered the management and quality plan (D7.1 M6), risk management plan (D7.2 M6), and initial DMP (D7.3 M6). Updates to the DMP were completed at M18 (D7.4) and M36 (D7.5). A final update (D7.6) is planned for M48
Results are yet preliminary. Worth of note existing beyond the state of the art:
SEUS Cloud Platform
AI-powered tool for document search
Over 30 Scientific Publications
Tests in real shipyard environment
More will be included when these are implemented and tested, in the final report.
SEUS Cloud Platform
AI-powered tool for document search
Over 30 Scientific Publications
Tests in real shipyard environment
More will be included when these are implemented and tested, in the final report.