Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEUS (SMART EUROPEAN SHIPBUILDING)
Période du rapport: 2023-01-01 au 2024-06-30
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).
Main activities are here described according to the work-packages (WPs).
WP1: Best Practice for Smart Shipbuilding
Work Performed:
• Data Collection of current and best practices: Collect and analyze available data for current PLM practices in shipbuilding in European and global contexts.
• Evaluation of bottlenecks and points-of-improvement (POI) for solution development and adoption: Synthesize the collected data to understand
opportunities for improvement and potential risks or bottlenecks related to the development and implementation of the PLM solution.
Achievements:
• Best Practice Research and Analyses (D1.1) - This result (in form of report and slide deck) highlights the complexities and best practices in European ship design and shipbuilding, with the integration of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems. It outlines the ship design and shipbuilding process, breaking it down into various phases from concept design to construction. It identifies key challenges facing the industry, such as the need for improved collaboration, risk management, and decision-making throughout the lifecycle of a ship. By using digital tools and frameworks, the industry can address these challenges more effectively.
• Results of the External and Internal Surveys (D1.2) - The survey results, which are of considerable importance in the context of the shipbuilding industry, indicate a strong need for improved data management solutions. Key areas for improvement include enhancing data quality, ensuring better access and compatibility of digital tools, and developing a robust SSoT solution.
WP2: Platform Development
Work Performed:
• Initiation and Planning
• Roadmap Development
• Data Model Discussion and Alignment
Achievements:
• Strategic Roadmap for Development (D1.3) - Roadmap for the software development of the whole project, presented in the form of tasks, milestones with a defined scope, and a roadmap outlining the software releases and the timeline of the SEUS project. The software development process follows practices commonly used in the software development industry.
• SEUS Cloud Platform: Setting up the cloud environment hosting all applications. This is already in place, available for trial and integrated versions of applications are gradually installed from the software development.
WP3: Open Platform Development
Work Performed
• Data Interoperability (PLM, CAD, CAM)
• AI Integration
• Cybersecurity
Achievements:
• Graph Database Framework: test of common SEUS database using Graph database
• AI Powered Search: Regulation document collection and initial testing of the AI-powered search tool
• Cybersecurity Assessment and Workshop: Survey and Assessment of Cybersecurity at each partner via individual workshops, plus guidelines and surveys.
WP4: Implementation at Shipyards
Work Performed
• Follow up Best Practices and Software development
• Selection of Use Cases for Implementation
Achievements:
• Use Cases Selected (D4.1) - Description of the four main uses cases selected for implementation from M18, namely:
- User case I: Concept design development
- User case II: Establish a newbuilding project including data connections to ERP system, document management, and collaboration with external suppliers
- User case III: Integration PIAS and Cadmatic Hull
- User case IV: Purchase process
WP5: Knowledge Management and Skills Development
Work Performed
• Shipbuilding Activity Map
• Knowledge Management Systems for Shipbuilding
• Requirement capture and development
Achievements:
• Preliminary Human-Centric Shipbulding Activity Map: reviews of service design and a method with a tool used in service design so that activities of diverse stakeholders are designed and represented.
WP6 and WP7 result are connected to dissemination and project management, which are described in other sections of this form.
WP1: Best Practice for Smart Shipbuilding
Work Performed:
• Data Collection of current and best practices: Collect and analyze available data for current PLM practices in shipbuilding in European and global contexts.
• Evaluation of bottlenecks and points-of-improvement (POI) for solution development and adoption: Synthesize the collected data to understand
opportunities for improvement and potential risks or bottlenecks related to the development and implementation of the PLM solution.
Achievements:
• Best Practice Research and Analyses (D1.1) - This result (in form of report and slide deck) highlights the complexities and best practices in European ship design and shipbuilding, with the integration of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems. It outlines the ship design and shipbuilding process, breaking it down into various phases from concept design to construction. It identifies key challenges facing the industry, such as the need for improved collaboration, risk management, and decision-making throughout the lifecycle of a ship. By using digital tools and frameworks, the industry can address these challenges more effectively.
• Results of the External and Internal Surveys (D1.2) - The survey results, which are of considerable importance in the context of the shipbuilding industry, indicate a strong need for improved data management solutions. Key areas for improvement include enhancing data quality, ensuring better access and compatibility of digital tools, and developing a robust SSoT solution.
WP2: Platform Development
Work Performed:
• Initiation and Planning
• Roadmap Development
• Data Model Discussion and Alignment
Achievements:
• Strategic Roadmap for Development (D1.3) - Roadmap for the software development of the whole project, presented in the form of tasks, milestones with a defined scope, and a roadmap outlining the software releases and the timeline of the SEUS project. The software development process follows practices commonly used in the software development industry.
• SEUS Cloud Platform: Setting up the cloud environment hosting all applications. This is already in place, available for trial and integrated versions of applications are gradually installed from the software development.
WP3: Open Platform Development
Work Performed
• Data Interoperability (PLM, CAD, CAM)
• AI Integration
• Cybersecurity
Achievements:
• Graph Database Framework: test of common SEUS database using Graph database
• AI Powered Search: Regulation document collection and initial testing of the AI-powered search tool
• Cybersecurity Assessment and Workshop: Survey and Assessment of Cybersecurity at each partner via individual workshops, plus guidelines and surveys.
WP4: Implementation at Shipyards
Work Performed
• Follow up Best Practices and Software development
• Selection of Use Cases for Implementation
Achievements:
• Use Cases Selected (D4.1) - Description of the four main uses cases selected for implementation from M18, namely:
- User case I: Concept design development
- User case II: Establish a newbuilding project including data connections to ERP system, document management, and collaboration with external suppliers
- User case III: Integration PIAS and Cadmatic Hull
- User case IV: Purchase process
WP5: Knowledge Management and Skills Development
Work Performed
• Shipbuilding Activity Map
• Knowledge Management Systems for Shipbuilding
• Requirement capture and development
Achievements:
• Preliminary Human-Centric Shipbulding Activity Map: reviews of service design and a method with a tool used in service design so that activities of diverse stakeholders are designed and represented.
WP6 and WP7 result are connected to dissemination and project management, which are described in other sections of this form.
Results are yet preliminary. Worth of note existing beyond the state of the art:
SEUS Cloud Platform
AI-powered tool for document search
More will be included when these are implemented and tested, in the final report.
SEUS Cloud Platform
AI-powered tool for document search
More will be included when these are implemented and tested, in the final report.