Japanese Maritime Leaders Advance Digital Twin Technology

Tokyo, Japan – Japanese maritime leaders have announced the successful completion of the early phases of a cross-industry project to create a secure data-sharing framework between shipyards and shipowners. This project, involving NYK Group company MTI Co. Ltd. (MTI), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), Marubeni Corporation, Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United Corporation, Usuki Shipyard, NAPA, and ClassNK, aims to enhance the use of digital twins throughout a ship’s lifecycle. The initiative focuses on using a vessel’s unique design data to optimize efficiency and safety at sea while sharing operational data to inform new ship designs.

Initial results have shown that increased data sharing between shipyards, shipowners, ship managers, and charterers is feasible by overcoming obstacles related to sharing sensitive design and operational data. In the first two phases, over 30 potential use cases were identified for securely sharing data and 3D models to create vessel-specific digital twins. These twins help improve operational efficiency and safety throughout a ship’s lifecycle. Further analysis confirmed the value of digital twins in supporting loading calculations, ship condition monitoring, and evaluating energy-saving devices.

The next phase of the project will develop a platform to securely share 3D models created during the design stage. This platform will operate in an access-controlled digital environment and introduce new business models for commercial agreements, potentially creating new revenue streams for shipyards and solution providers. ClassNK will lead this phase to ensure the platform’s neutrality and fairness.

Set to start operation in 2025, this project could revolutionize the sharing of design and operational data, overcoming traditional barriers to the adoption of digital twins in the maritime sector. The partnership also aims to feed operational data back to shipyards, providing valuable insights on real-life performance and enabling improvements in future ship designs.

Mr. Naoki Mizutani, Executive Vice President for NAPA Studios, highlighted the project’s collaborative spirit, saying it bridges design and operational data for safer, more efficient, and greener shipping. Mr. Yoshimichi Sasaki, General Manager of the Digital Transformation Center at ClassNK, emphasized that digital twins offer unparalleled insights into a ship’s design and unlock new opportunities for optimizing operations and maintenance, fostering closer dialogue between shipyards and shipowners.