Four new major Japanese maritime organizations join Digital Twin Project
Renowned participants support the initiative to transform the way shipping shares design and operational data, helping overcome barriers to the adoption of digital twins
Tokyo, Japan/Helsinki, Finland, 25 February 2025: Four new companies—Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE), Kyokuyo Shipyard Corporation, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine&Engineering—have joined the collaborative cross-industry Digital Twin Project.
This expansion marks phase three of the Digital Twin Project, which aims to create a secure data-sharing framework between shipyards and shipowners to advance the use of digital twins throughout a ship’s lifecycle, contributing to improved operational efficiency and safety. The participants will engage in detailed discussions around the feasibility of increased data sharing between stakeholders, with the aim of tackling some of the hurdles around sharing sensitive design and operational data.
Through close collaboration between a diverse range of stakeholders, the Project aims to develop a new platform to allow the 3D models created during the ship design stage to be shared in a secure, access-controlled digital environment. It can also allow operational data to be fed back to shipyards, providing invaluable insights. This could create a new revenue stream for shipyards and solution providers, as well as mechanisms to share benefits between stakeholders.
The Digital Twin Project already includes some of the largest shipowners and shipbuilders in the world. The four new companies will join the original members, including shipowners Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), NYK Group company MTI Co. Ltd. (“MTI”), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), Marubeni Corporation (Marubeni) and Marubeni Group company MMSL Japan Ltd., shipbuilders Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United Corporation, and Usuki Shipyard, software and data services provider NAPA, and classification society ClassNK.
Mr. Yoshimichi Sasaki, General Manager, Digital Transformation Center at ClassNK, commented: “We are delighted to welcome new participants to this major Digital Twin Project. We now have people from across a diverse range of maritime business areas and roles offering their valuable perspectives. With “K” LINE, NYK/MTI, MOL, and Marubeni/MMSL Japan involved, we also have representation from many prominent Japanese shipowners, highlighting the significance of Digital Twin technology and the strength of the collaborative project.”
Naoki Mizutani, Executive Vice President for NAPA Studios at NAPA, added: “These renowned new additions to the Digital Twin Project also mark a significant milestone for NAPA Studios; the Project forms a prominent part of the NAPA Studios initiative to bring together shipowners, charterers, shipyards, classification societies, financiers and insurers in joint projects. These efforts will provide more clarity on the practical implications of deploying new technologies or contracts and help develop the new technologies and operational frameworks needed for the transition to net-zero. We are grateful to all the participants for their engagement and look forward to the next collaborative developments.”
Akihiko Masutani, Director and Chief General Manager of the Business & Technical Division at Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine&Engineering, said: “We take great pride in our company’s participation in such pioneering initiatives. Through this endeavor, we aspire to create innovation by integrating existing maritime technologies, such as wind propulsion, with cutting-edge ICT and digitalization techniques, with the goal of making a meaningful contribution to the industry.”
When used effectively, Digital Twins can offer unparalleled insights into a ship’s unique design profile and characteristics to inform decarbonization decisions. As a result, they can be a powerful tool supporting the shipping industry’s energy transition. With the high potential impact of this technology, as this project continues to evolve and gain momentum, the commercial launch is hotly anticipated in 2025.
Notes to editors
About ClassNK
Established in 1899, ClassNK is a classification society dedicated to safety and environmental protection through third-party certification. ClassNK has conducted diverse technical services including surveys and classifications of ships and marine structures based on its own rules, international conventions on behalf of more than 100 flag states, management system certifications in line with ISO and other industry standards. ClassNK has committed to provide the industry with its full support to pave the way for digitalization and decarbonization challenges through the expanding certification service and R&D with industry partners.
For more information visit: www.classnk.com
About NAPA
NAPA is a leading provider of software and digital services for the global maritime industry, harnessing data science to enable safer, more sustainable and future-proof shipping.
Founded in 1989 to provide smart solutions for ship design, NAPA is now the global reference in shipbuilding, with over 90% of new vessels built by NAPA customers. Today, the company’s expertise spans the entire lifecycle of a ship, from shipyards to operational safety and efficiency at sea. Over 3000 commercial ships globally sail with NAPA safety and efficiency solutions, which include digital ship stability systems that enable a proactive approach to safety at sea, cloud-based performance monitoring that delivers insights to unlock new operational efficiencies, and voyage optimization solutions that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from voyages.
Headquartered in Finland, NAPA employs 200 experts and operates globally, with a presence in Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, the USA, Germany, Greece, Romania and India.
Media contact:
Peter Prest
BLUE Communications
+44 7713 039 304
peter.prest@blue-comms.com
