Project plans ship design simulation platform

Rolls-Royce, the Norwegian University of Technology Science (NTNU), research organisation SINTEF Ocean, and class society DNV GL have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the aim of creating the platform.

The platform would enable parties to create ‘digital twins’ – a full data model of a ship and its systems that can be subjected to testing and analysis virtually. The concept means that safety and performance of a vessel and its systems can be assessed digitally both before construction and through its lifecycle. The platform is also designed to serve as a library for ship concepts.

Asbjørn Skaro, director digital & systems, Rolls-Royce – Marine said: “The platform will enable us to build digital twins of real ships, which in turn will form the basis for novel ways of designing, constructing, verifying and operating new maritime concepts and technology.”

Remi Eriksen, group president and CEO, DNV GL added: “We are entering a new era with the accelerated uptake of more IT-technology in shipping. Digitalisation of information flows will have a positive impact on safety and environmental performance. By creating ships and ship technology in a virtual environment new ideas and technology can be realised and tested in a shorter time frame. A platform like this could form the basis for future class services.”

The project partners intend build some core aspects of the platform on an open-source framework, opening its use and encouraging co-creation between designers, equipment and system manufacturers, yards, ship owners, operators, research institutes and academia.

The parties are in the process of forming a steering group to define and govern the development of the core platform system and its deployment.