Shipbuilding remains steady on the digital course
Herborn, 10 January 2025
The maritime industry is seeing high order volumes, even though such challenges as trade barriers and geopolitical conflicts still have to be overcome. It is pushing ahead with its digital transformation at full steam in order to increase efficiency in its processes and operations in times of high cost pressure and a shortage of skilled workers. Over 70 industry experts came together to present and discuss concrete approaches following an invitation by Rittal and EPLAN to the fully booked Ship & Sea Industry Day with the main topic “Digital innovations and smart solutions in times of maritime change” in Hamburg.
The maritime industry is one of the cornerstones of Germany’s economic location; its products and services cover the entire value chain. Germany’s shipbuilding industry, including the supplier industry, accounts for a major part of this, with around 2,800 companies and roughly 200,000 employees. It supports approximately 450,000 jobs and has a turnover of around €86 billion.
Hauke Schlegel, Managing Director of VDMA Marine Equipment & Systems, opened the event by providing insights into the maritime supply industry’s global market situation. Germany is the world’s largest exporter of shipbuilding supplies. Dr. Reinhard Lüken, General Manager of the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association (VSM), outlined the situation and opportunities for the shipbuilding industry as an economic powerhouse in Germany and Europe as a whole.
How is the maritime industry progressing in automation, digitalisation and climate protection? Exchange of sought-after information at the Ship & Sea Industry Day 2024.
The hosts, Hendrik Lehmann from Rittal (left) and Feeko Harders from EPLAN (right), were delighted by the full house and exciting conversations.
Transformation calls for cooperation and pragmatism
“Now, more than ever, it is important to exploit the opportunities for boosting process efficiency and energy-efficient operation – to assure the economic future of a highly relevant industry,” says Rittal’s Hendrik Lehmann, Solutions Sales Manager Maritime & Aviation: “Change can only be achieved with a cross-company approach.
We must collaborate on tangible solutions with real benefits in times of high cost pressure. That’s why we’ve been especially pleased by the high level of participation, exciting presentations and intensive discussions during the break-out sessions.” Feeko Harders, Vertical Market Manager Maritime at EPLAN, explains: “The use cases from the different trades revealed one basic principle: The power of consistent data. If we generate high-quality data as standardised as possible right from the start and make it usable throughout the entire process, this will increase efficiency through to the operational level.”
What is possible now and what will be possible tomorrow
Speakers from the VDMA, the VSM and the University of Rostock illustrated the specific benefits of innovative solutions in various applications related to shipbuilding, shipping and maritime infrastructure. In an informative presentation, visitors also learned how Abeking & Rasmussen developed from a small crafts business into a high-tech shipyard. Bender’s maritime power experts explained how insulation measurement can act as a compass in maintenance. EPLAN, Phoenix Contact and GEA explained which practical benefits of the open data standard Module Type Package (MTP) can make possible, from engineering to ship automation and to operations of greater sustainability.
Consistent, class-compliant engineering in the EPLAN platform. EPLAN connects all the operations involved, from the individual component to the subsystem.
Using EPLAN software in the maritime industry
EPLAN makes it possible to design and display the entire ship operating technology, process engineering, climate control and ventilation technology, and electrical engineering within a data-based system landscape. This makes it possible to map the complete functional digital twin with EPLAN – from the individual component to the relevant subsystem.
In addition, EPLAN software can be easily integrated into existing system structures and processes to give them greater consistency and efficiency: EPLAN solutions enable seamless to the master plan, 3D model, PDM and ERP systems, other database systems, as well as to the PLC or ship automation. All of the disciplines involved can operate together within a single software environment.
Rittal is offering DNV-tested cooling units for shipping for the first time with its new “Blue e+ dynamic”. This has been optimised for dynamic loads and thoroughly tested.
Intelligent and stable: Cooling units for maritime applications
Rittal also presented a new addition to its Blue e+ cooling units. However smart the technology is, nothing works at sea without special mechanical and electrical stability. This is because maritime operations make their own special demands. Rittal showed how the Blue e+ series of cooling units have been improved to guarantee the high energy savings of the hybrid cooling technology at sea.
The new Blue e+ dynamic series has been optimised for dynamic loads on ships and has also been DNV-tested. In addition to the usual EMC compatibility testing for ships, the units’ vibration resistance and safe operation when tilted were also tested. Testing in accordance with the DNV CG 0339 (Class A) standard ensures that energy-efficient appliances cool safely and reliably, even when subjected to high dynamic loads. Rittal also demonstrated how the modular RiMatrix platform can be used to quickly create a reliable IT infrastructure.
