The Norwegian University of Technology Science (NTNU), Rolls Royce, research organisation SINTEF Ocean, and classification society DNV GL have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the aim of creating an open source digital platform for use in the development of new ships.
The platform would allow the creation of so called “digital twins”. A digital twin is a digital copy of a real ship, including its systems, that synthesises the information available about the ship in a digital world. This allows any aspect of an asset to be explored through a digital interface, creating a virtual test bench to assess the safety and performance of a vessel and its systems, both before its construction and through its life cycle.
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.’
The project partners intend to open the platform for use by other parties, with some core aspects built on an open source framework – enabling designers, equipment and system manufacturers, yards, ship owners, operators, research institutes and academia to work together to co-create and innovate together.
Testing innovative ship concepts
The platform is also designed to serve as a model library for different ship concepts, where concepts can be made generally available or kept part of projects with limited access. Following the signing of the MoU, the project partners are now working to form a steering group that will define and govern the development of the core platform system and its deployment.
Henning Borgen, President, SINTEF Ocean said: 'This is a very concrete example of how digitalisation can contribute in making our most important ocean space industries more efficient. I believe we have the knowledge and data needed to contribute to this industrial revolution and look forward to be part of this.
