U.S., South Korea And Germany Develop Digital Twin Technology To Predict Ammonia
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), and Siemens have joined forces to develop a new digital twin system. This system aims to predict how ammonia spreads on a ship in the event of a leak, offering crucial insights for safety and design considerations.
Revolutionizing Ship Design with Computational Fluid Dynamics and Digital Twin Technology
At Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, the three companies inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to integrate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with digital twin technology. By combining these cutting-edge tools, engineers will be able to simulate various leak and accident scenarios during the ship design phase. This proactive approach will enable them to identify potential safety risks early in the process, enhancing overall safety measures.
Ammonia: A Promising Alternative Marine Fuel with Safety Challenges
The maritime industry is exploring ammonia as a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, aiming to reduce emissions and environmental impact. While green ammonia shows promise in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting emissions, it also presents safety concerns. Ammonia is corrosive, toxic if inhaled or in contact with the body, and can ignite at certain concentrations.
The collaborative project will delve into the dynamics of ammonia leakage from vessels and study how the gas disperses in various scenarios. By leveraging CFD simulations and digital twins, engineers can gain valuable insights into safety risks associated with ammonia-fueled vessels. HD KSOE will focus on developing ammonia safety systems and leading experimental research, while Siemens will provide simulation and digital twin technology. ABS will contribute a safety assessment method based on digital twins.
Chang Kwangpil, head of the Future Technology Institute at HD KSOE, highlighted the transformative potential of AI and digital twin technology in reshaping shipbuilding research and development. Byung Joon Oh, country manager of Siemens Digital Industries Software Korea, emphasized the role of physics-based simulation and digital twin technology in enhancing safety and reliability for next-generation vessels.
The collaborative efforts of ABS, HD KSOE, and Siemens are poised to accelerate safety checks for ammonia-fueled vessels and promote the adoption of digital technologies in the marine industry. This partnership aims to empower engineers to assess a wide range of ammonia leakage and accident scenarios early in the vessel design process, ultimately enhancing safety standards across the maritime sector.
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