Trends of Digital Transformation in the Shipbuilding Sector

Abstract

The new paradigms of Industry 4.0 force all the industrial sectors to face a deep digital transformation in order to be on the edge in a competitive and globalized scenario. Following this trend, the shipbuilding industry has to establish its own path to adapt itself to the digital era. This chapter aims to explore this challenge and give an outlook on the multiple transformative technologies that are involved. For that reason, a case of study is presented as a starting point, in which the digital technologies that can be applied are easily recognized. A social network analysis (SNA) is developed among these key enabling technologies (KETs), in order to stress their correlations and links. As a result, artificial intelligence (AI) can be highlighted as a support to the other technologies, such as vertical integration of naval production systems (e.g., connectivity, Internet of things, collaborative robotics, etc.), horizontal integration of value networks (e.g., cybersecurity, diversification, etc.), and life cycle reengineering (e.g., drones, 3D printing (3DP), virtual and augmented reality, remote sensing networks, robotics, etc.).

Swot-Ahp Hybrid Method for Ranking the Strategies in the Shipbuilding Sector

“…The strategy of expanding the ship digitization process (SO3) is very important. Digitization in the shipbuilding sector is a new concept of Connected Industry 4.0, as shown by Sánchez-Sotano et al (2020), which highlights the potential of new technologies based on product and service innovation, operational excellence, etc. This concept includes integrated processes and products to operate environmentally, efficiently, and flexibly, which are based on: the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, remote sensing networks, collaborative robotics, additive manufacturing, connectivity, security cybernetics, and diversification, virtual and augmented reality (VAR).…”

Development of Augmented Reality Technology Implementation in a Shipbuilding Project Realization Process

“…The transformation from a traditional to a smart shipyard, "Shipyard 4.0", is the primary response to the requirements of sustainable, environmentally acceptable, and, above all, competitive business. The "smart factory" is the response to the highlighted challenge of the shipbuilding industry's low productivity, with an emphasis on the European as being projected oriented, with prevailing individual (prototype) production [1]. In addition, the European shipbuilding sector is, for the most part, present precisely in the market niches of highly complex types of new builds [2].…”

“…In addition, the European shipbuilding sector is, for the most part, present precisely in the market niches of highly complex types of new builds [2]. Such market orientation makes the industry more labor-intensive, with a high demand for a specially qualified workforce, and exposed to a large number of alternation requests from clients, which extends the already initially long project implementation deadlines [1]. All the above results in an additional increase in costs, and European shipyards, despite the high added value of their products, are under constant pressure of the continuous business improvement necessity.…”

“…Vertical connection spreads from the workshops to all business functions up to administration in the way of data exchange between virtual reality (such as a digital model of the production line or the product itself) and physical reality, in real time. Such integration creates not only the CPS of the product realization [1,5] but also a product that communicates with reference systems during its production, management, and maintenance, as well as with other vessels in the exploitation phase ("Smart ship") [3]. Savings in shipbuilding through vertical integration are achieved in the number of working hours and labor resources, as well as energy, thereby contributing to environmental protection [1,6]; additionally, the quality of working conditions in a safe and environmentally acceptable way also improves significantly [1,3].…”

Digital Twin Of Shipbuilding Process in Shipyard 4.0

“…Intensive work is also being carried out in the maritime sector. Their results are described, among others, by the authors of papers [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Analyzing the cited studies from the field of shipbuilding, as in other industries, one can notice discrepancies in the unambiguous definition of DT as well as the idea of its use.…”