3D

  • ABS software supports designs across most vessel sectors. This pilot project focused on tug and barge designs, producing promising results.


    Jensen Maritime, the naval architecture and marine engineering arm of Crowley Maritime Corp, and ABS have completed a precedent-setting pilot project using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) models to support plan reviews for class approval.


    In what is believed to be an industry first, the innovative pilot was not proprietary to specific brands of CAD software, allowing designers to use the versions with which they are most familiar, or those that are best suited to the design project.

    Saving Time and Money
    In eliminating the need to create 2D drawings to submit for the class design-review process, the initiative is expected to achieve a time savings of as much as 25%, and reduce the designer’s costs of approval.

    “Being able to send our 3D models directly to ABS for engineering review saves us time and resources that are currently used to develop 2D drawings,” said Crowley Maritime Vice President of Engineering Services, Jay Edgar. “ABS’s CAD-agnostic approach is an important factor in this process because it allows us to use the modeling program that best fits our needs for the project.”

    The ABS software would support designs across most vessel sectors, but the pilot focused on tug and barge designs, a sector where Crowley and Jensen Maritime have considerable industry recognition and experience. It used a detailed 3D-model environment that seamlessly integrated with the ABS classification processes.

    Unique to the ABS-engineered solution is the ability to upload 3D models that are developed by using all major CAD modeling software – including widely used brands such as Aveva/Tribon, Intergraph, Autodesk/Autocad and Rhino – expanding the options for designers and owners.

    The Future: 3D Modeling
    Three-dimensional modeling is increasingly relied upon by the maritime industry’s design houses and builders for planning initial structural and machinery systems, with more than half of respondents confirming adoption in a recent ABS survey.

    “Using 3D software models is the logical next step for ABS as we expand our digital footprint and continually enhance the class experience,” ABS Vice President for Technology, Gareth Burton said in announcing the pilot project with Jensen Maritime. “Until now, only two-dimensional drawings have offered the fidelity of detail required to support ABS classification. But advances in technology and 3D modeling techniques now enable one end-to-end project model, backed by an extremely detailed data set, for plan approval.”

    The digital revolution is beginning to have a major impact on how class is delivering its primary services such as plan approval. While the overall objective remains the same – to help maintain life, property and the natural environment – how those services are delivered is being transformed throughout the lifecycle of the asset.

    Class, in partnership with industry and academia, is using the digital revolution to make its processes less intrusive to stakeholders’ day-to-day operations; using 3D modeling for plan-review is just one example.

    “The time and resources we don’t spend creating 2D models for review can be used on other strategic design activities, so using 3D models that are already an integral part of our design process to meet class requirements is clearly a benefit to us and, ultimately, our clients,” said Edgar. “It is an example of how thoughtful application in technology can be used to streamline the design process.”

    While using 3D CAD models to support class’s plan-review process is not entirely new, working with design houses and shipowners to create a process that supports many different types of CAD software is unique.

    Traditionally, maritime partnerships have been formed with the CAD and/or software companies, compelling designers to work in that software environment. This has created the interoperability issues that are common in the hyper-competitive software world, where protection of intellectual property can restrict cooperation.

    Agnostic, Interoperable – and Cutting Edge
    Because designers and shipyards develop their 3D models using a variety of CAD software, ABS chose the agnostic approach to accommodate as many of the industry’s established tools and workflows as possible. “It was essential to the success of the review process because it provides clients with the confidence that their models can be accepted and reviewed by us,” Dan Cronin, ABS Vice-President Class Standards and Software, said.

    The software-agnostic goal was built into the work scope for the Crowley/Jensen pilot. It included the identification of 3D model formats that Jensen Maritime wanted to submit for ABS review, and the determination of the 3D models that were to be submitted for testing. The program was tested with hull scantling models. As the focus was on the plan-review workflow, a full engineering plan review of the models was not conducted for this part of the pilot.

    ABS verified the design, conducted spot checks of the details required for plan review to ensure that the models could be fully reviewed. Other details of the work scope included:

    • Collection and preparation of documentation, data, and 3D model required for the test workflow, which addressed:
    1. Stamping
    2. Commenting and Amendments
    3. Software compatibility
    4. Archiving
    • Testing of the pilot-approval workflow with the 3D model and accompanying documentation
    • Report and review test results
    • Development of best practices for the 3D model-based plan approval process based on the lessons learned from the pilot


    A key obstacle that had to be overcome was the interoperability of the third-party platforms, how to develop a process so that data can be shared across different CAD platforms. To support an efficient design-review process, the designer creates sectional views, which allow ABS engineers to more easily navigate the model. When used in tandem with a file-transfer protocol, engineers and designers communicate comments and annotations via 3D PDFs, assuring the secure transfer of data.

    Next Steps
    As the next logical step for this technology, ABS is interested in piloting it for use in class surveys, an exercise that would build understanding about how designers and shipyards could best use 3D CAD models during vessel-construction phases.

    “We expect significant time and cost savings for designers and shipyards if 3D CAD models are adopted during the construction phase,” said Cronin. “However, there will be challenges, because shipyards may need to modify some workflows. It may also impact a range of stakeholders, including crew on board vessels and Flag States.”

    ABS is already talking to Flag States about how they may be able to accommodate 3D CAD models, particularly with regard to use in the field. They have expressed interest in 3D model plan review, even though use in the field is limited at present. Beyond this, ABS is also exploring ways to use 3D CAD models to reduce non-value added modeling time.


    This article first appeared in the October print edition of MarineNews magazine.

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  • InSAS bathymetric resolution approaches that of the corresponding SAS  image, it becomes possible to overlay the reflectivity and topography to create a true 3D picture of objects on the seabed.  The ability to generate centimeter-scale resolution in all three dimensions has the potential to provide significant

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  • Project Launched to Size-Up Offshore Workers   Research to measure offshore workers’ body size with 3D scanners to inform the future design of safety equipment, survival clothing and space requirements on offshore installations has been launched in Aberdeen. The research, which will generate an ongoing

  • the company is currently marketing, which was most recently updated in July (FORAN V7OR3.0). The technology has changed, obviously - think three-dimensional (3D) and virtual reality - but more important, the design process has changed as well FORAN today is an integrated CAD/CAM/CAE system that can be used in

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  • made possible a more detailed inspection of a reservoir dam in central Italy than could otherwise be achieved. Faced with the problem of mounting a BlueView 3D Sonar system high enough above the ROV to gather all-round images and avoid the vehicle’s chassis obstructing the scan, Subsea Fenix knew it would be

  • MT May-25#43  real-time and historical data 
3D photogrammetry, AI-driven)
    May 2025 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 43

    . Visualization of data is possible by integrating advanced georeferenced and gap-? lling module, EXail PHINS with both real-time and historical data 3D photogrammetry, AI-driven analy- C3 Inertial Navigation System (INS), georeferenced in dashboards, maps, and sis, and multiple data types (such as

  • MR Apr-25#43  Dordrecht, a project where Van 
3D-Printed Valve Manifold
Oord)
    April 2025 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 43

    supplied its PowerPack to a pilot project taking place in the sea- Aircraft Carrier Gets AIP for Ammonia-Fueled port of Dordrecht, a project where Van 3D-Printed Valve Manifold Oord, in cooperation with ZEDHub, Ammonia Bunkering Vessel HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding in- Smart Delta Drechtsteden, the

  • MT Mar-25#60  ground up  video and precise 3D reconstructions,  Supporter)
    March 2025 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 60

    sizes and power rat- The system provides 4K resolution construction of the advanced ROV, the ings to suit trenching in hard ground up video and precise 3D reconstructions, Supporter 6000. to 50MPa. allowing for detailed inspection of un- The Supporter 6000, designed for ul- Trenchers can be con? gured

  • MT Mar-25#33  of seismic wave ar-
6,434 km2 of 3D multi-client seismic  rivals)
    March 2025 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 33

    , Viridien merged and re-imaged image due to its ability to capture a seamless and contiguous volume of a wider range of seismic wave ar- 6,434 km2 of 3D multi-client seismic rivals, including longer offsets, full data in the basin. azimuthal coverage and better low- The data included four separate

  • MT Mar-25#31  potential to be characterized in 3D. “With 
subsurface at their)
    March 2025 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 31

    framework for imaging legacy seismic data “Every one of these wells provides a direct window into the to enable storage potential to be characterized in 3D. “With subsurface at their location. By reprocessing, collating and the latest seismic processing technologies, legacy seismic data curating this

  • MT Jan-25#34  program, has developed a 3D sonar system, 3D-15,  looking)
    January 2025 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 34

    Linked, a company that was part of the NATO DIANA lytics that enables the IQNS to process data from the forward- accelerator program, has developed a 3D sonar system, 3D-15, looking sonar to detect and classify features in real-time. For that provides imagery in low-visibility environments in real time

  • MT Jan-25#33  Sirius, that 
delivers real-time 3D data for the precise navigation)
    January 2025 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 33

    while still providing navigational information over six degrees of freedom. Movella launched a new inertial sensor, Xsens Sirius, that delivers real-time 3D data for the precise navigation or sta- bilization of AUVs and ROVs. A key feature is its advanced signal pipeline with analog ? ltering, ensuring

  • MT Jan-25#30  an interactive dashboard with 3D  tions across industries)
    January 2025 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 30

    , biofouling and structural defects, time sectors, enabling safer, more ef? cient underwater opera- consolidating results into an interactive dashboard with 3D tions across industries, and supporting data collection, infra- models and annotated imagery.” In addition to improving ac- structure inspections, resource

  • MR Feb-25#16 . Since the entire hull is 3D modeled, 
ply knows that)
    February 2025 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 16

    , but technology plays a signi? cant John loves wood, but he is not sentimental about it. He sim- part in the construction. Since the entire hull is 3D modeled, ply knows that wood is better in this application and actually in the frames are laminated to a rough shape on easily devel- many other boatbuildin

  • MR Dec-24#34  what the bottom looks like in a 3D-colored map. 
where movement)
    December 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 34

    looks like a video game, and that's DSC Vision: deep, but it tends to be more in the corners of the channel, a rendering of what the bottom looks like in a 3D-colored map. where movement becomes really important.” The other side [are the] gauges that the operator looks at to con- “[Muddy Water Dredging] wanted

  • MT Nov-24#45  solutions for digitizing 
3D movement, launched its new)
    November 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 45

    , UK, US and Australia. and Perform a Movella Launches Xsens Flagship Sensor Vacuum Leak Test Movella, a provider of full-stack solutions for digitizing 3D movement, launched its new ? agship inertial sensor, the high-end industrial grade Xsens Sirius Series: the next gener- Deck Purge Box ation of sensors

  • MT Nov-24#43  as a replacement for  time 3D view of the sub-seabed.)
    November 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 43

    Interferometric Synthetic Ap- forming SAS arrays, providing a real- computer-controlled accuracy to +/- 0.1 erture Sonar, billed as a replacement for time 3D view of the sub-seabed. The degree (6 arc minutes). The Accu-posi- sidescan systems with improved resolu- SBI identi? es buried objects, anomalies

  • MT Nov-24#42   (SAS) processing to render 3D images  plications such)
    November 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 42

    perfor- cessed utilizing synthetic aperture sonar tions for both underwater and in-air ap- mance by seamlessly switching between (SAS) processing to render 3D images plications such as Sub-bottom pro? ling, of buried objects. frequency modes to suit their task. underwater communication, UUV/AUV sensors

  • MN Nov-24#43  what the bottom 
looks like in a 3D-colored map. The 
other)
    November 2024 - Marine News page: 43

    basically two screens and eight buttons. One screen looks like a video game, and that’s DSC Vi- sion: a rendering of what the bottom looks like in a 3D-colored map. The other side [are the] gauges that the op- erator looks at to control the dredge. The operator doesn’t have to be aware of everything

  • MN Nov-24#29 ?  cation framework — featuring 3D 
Classi?  cation, Remote)
    November 2024 - Marine News page: 29

    stakeholders in embracing digital technologies that enhance safety, ef? ciency, and sustainabil- ity. Our digital classi? cation framework — featuring 3D Classi? cation, Remote and Augmented Surveys, and Pre- dictive Schemes — uses the power of data, digital twins, and AI to enhance safety, reduce costs

  • MR Nov-24#20  providing production design 
and 3D modeling services to shipbuilding)
    November 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 20

    ONE-ON-ONE FIRE ICE & GENOA DESIGN EXCELS IN GOVERNMENT, MILITARY, ICEBREAKING MARKETS Genoa Design International has been providing production design and 3D modeling services to shipbuilding and offshore industries from Newfoundland and Labrador for nearly 30 years. COO Laurie Balan sees ample opportunity

  • MN Oct-24#14  and drafting tables to CAD and 3D scans of  positive, forward)
    October 2024 - Marine News page: 14

    . As front-end planning has evolved from physi- which enables rapid upward mobility to employees in a cal templates and drafting tables to CAD and 3D scans of positive, forward thinking and operating environment. existing structures, the improvements in a shipyard’s abil- ity to detail out every aspect

  • MT Sep-24#52  ingest and process the data  or 3D point cloud analysis of)
    September 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 52

    hydrographic surveying industry. Traditionally, surveyors process data locally on laptops and face signi? - can rapidly ingest and process the data or 3D point cloud analysis of sensor data cant hurdles in receiving the data in and make it available as petabyte-scale using tools that make it easy to

  • MT Sep-24#51  echo sounder (MBES) and 3D 
multi-channel ultra-high)
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    Polish sec- tor of the Baltic Sea. The project team based in Ocean In? nity’s Operations Centre in Gothenburg, used a multi- beam echo sounder (MBES) and 3D multi-channel ultra-high resolution by AI algorithms, says Boyle. Process- GS4 software for GeoSwath bathymetric seismic (3D-UHRS) equipment de- ing

  • MT Sep-24#47  sensors and assets to enable 3D visualization of opera-
tions)
    September 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 47

    by major Western corporations like Shell, BP and Kennecott. Digital twin technology analyzes data gathered from mul- tiple sensors and assets to enable 3D visualization of opera- tions in real time. AI modelling can then determine the envi- ronmental impacts of the operation and test how, for example, how

  • MT Sep-24#28  and Europe. Its high-resolution 3D acoustic imaging  full range)
    September 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 28

    in Canada, Kraken has of? ces in North and South real-time bathymetric data with a resolution of 25 cm out to America and Europe. Its high-resolution 3D acoustic imaging full range while delivering high depth accuracy. systems, battery solutions, and services enable its clients to • Kraken’s SeaPower

  • MT Sep-24#26  wideband multibeam so-
nars, 3D side-scan sonars; sub bottom)
    September 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 26

    international maritime markets. Through Oceans, NORBIT specializes in designing and devel- oping a range of sonars, including wideband multibeam so- nars, 3D side-scan sonars; sub bottom pro? lers and long-range surveillance sonars, for exploring the ocean space. NORBIT bathymetric sonars are used for seabed

  • MT Sep-24#16 , and Propulsion System Sizing.  3D geometry for CAD export)
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    tools for Speed/Power Prediction, Op- (tail) volumes – has been augmented to generate offsets and erational Energy Analysis, and Propulsion System Sizing. 3D geometry for CAD export. New prediction models now NavCad, and its companion for optimized propulsor design, support vehicles with higher speeds and

  • MT Sep-24#14   ing, interpretation and 3D visualization of data acquired)
    September 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 14

    of this highly a powerful GIS-based solution for the acquisition, process- reliable and precision system. The AquaPulse reliability ing, interpretation and 3D visualization of data acquired by has been demonstrated to operate on a single project for GeoPulse Compact and GeoPulse 2. over 10 million shots