FIRST 3D CLASSIFICATION APPROVALS FOR DAMEN SHIP DESIGN

Damen Engineering has announced the completion of its first vessel design to be entirely created, reviewed and class-approved using 3D models in collaboration with Bureau Veritas (BV) and NAPA, the maritime software supplier.

The 2500 m3 dredger concept is the first Damen vessel concept to receive BV certification using 3D model-based classification approval (3D MBA).

The process allows class societies to review and approve designs using 3D models rather than 2D drawings, as at present. Following this successful implementation of 3D MBA, Damen has confirmed that the process is already being applied to further designs including a 1000 m3 and a 4000 m3 hopper dredger.

By using NAPA’s technology, Damen and BV can work collaboratively on the same 3D model throughout the design and review process. The deployment of 3D MBA has yielded positive results, streamlining communication and saving time. The use of 3D MBA also eliminates a major potential source of errors, as Damen no longer needs to translate the 3D models it uses to design vessels into 2D drawings for class approvals, and then back again into 3D to implement the changes.

This first approval follows a partnership between NAPA and Bureau Veritas to implement 3D model based approvals using a neutral OCX file format generated by NAPA Designer that enables BV to perform its prescriptive rule checks and calculations utilizing its in-house tools MARS and VeriSTAR Hull. Laurent Leblanc, Senior Vice President Technical & Operations at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said:

“We are delighted to deliver this approval for Damen’s 2500 m3 dredger concept which is the result of our collective determination to make 3D model-based approvals a reality in our industry. This milestone demonstrates the effectiveness and viability of 3D MBA to support closer and more efficient collaboration between designers and our classification surveyors while ensuring that all safety and regulatory standards are met. This collaboration with NAPA and Damen is a tangible demonstration of BV’s commitment to work with pioneers in our industry, supporting the safe innovation needed to meet the safety and sustainability challenges ahead.”

The UK government has awarded a £1.6 billion ($1.97bn) contract to a British consortium for the construction of three Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) support vessels.

Team Resolute, comprising Harland & Wolff, ship designer BMT, and the new UK arm of Spain’s largest shipbuilder Navantia, was awarded preferred bidder status in November. The contract will see £77 million of infrastructure investment at Harland & Wolff’s Belfast and Appledore shipyards, and a further £21 million in skills and technology transfer from Navantia UK.

The contract award, which will lead to the creation of 900 jobs at Harland & Wolff’s Belfast site, brings naval shipbuilding back to Belfast after a gap of two decades. The new support vessels will be the first ships built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast since MV Anvil Point in 2002.

The contract is expected to create 300 shipbuilding jobs elsewhere in the UK and an expected 800 further jobs across the wider UK supply chain.

The majority of the blocks and modules for the ships will be constructed at Harland & Wolff’s facilities in Belfast and Appledore. Build work will also take place at Navantia’s shipyard in Cadiz in Spain, with the final assembly of the vessels to be completed at Harland & Wolff’s Belfast yard.

The series of 216m newbuilds, with the power to operate at speeds up to 19 knots, will have a primary role as replenishment vessels, supplying stores, munitions, spares and equipment to warships at sea.

Production is due to start in