Damen Engineering Gdansk in cooperation with Napa and Bureau Veritas has approved the class design of the vessel based on a 3D model of the hull structure.

The hull structure design of the Damen TSHD 1000 (Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger) ship made using NAPA's specialized software has received class approval from Bureau Veritas based on a 3D model.

3D modeling of a vessel is commonly used at various stages of project development. Differentiated 3D modeling is used by ship designers and engineers to visualize hull geometry, strength and stability calculations of the vessel. The 2D drawing generated from the 3D model is a common and widely used information carrier in the ship design and production process.

There are several steps in the commonly accepted and functioning process in the industry. The designer works with the 3D model, then translates this into 2D drawings to obtain approval of the vessel's class. Once the 2D drawing information is received, classification societies must generate a new 3D model based on the 2D drawings provided to perform independent calculations and provide their feedback on the 2D drawings. Finally, in response to the society's comments, the designer must translate the 2D drawings back into 3D to make changes.

In the new approach, 2D drawings have been eliminated from the process. This was made possible by using the OCX (Open Class eXchange) format in the various neutrals.

The use of the OCX format allowed the parties to optimize the process to save time, but also to improve communication and facilitate collaboration between the designer and the person responsible for approving the hull design.

The 3D tool used by Damen Engineering is provided by the Finnish company NAPA. The Gdańsk office has been using its software for many years, but the integration of the OCX format in the tool has opened up the possibility of exchanging data in a whole new quality.

The traditional process limits creativity, slows down communication, forces the creation of duplicate drawings, which increases the risk of mistakes.

Katarzyna Romantowska-Jaskólska, managing director of Damen Engineering Gdansk, said that the ability for all partners to review and approve the same 3D model completely changes the rules of the game for ship designers and classification societies, as well as for stakeholders in the said process.

NAPA, together with a consortium of companies supporting the development of the OCX format, intends to bring OCX into widespread use.

Damen Engineering Gdansk intends to apply and develop the approval of further vessels using only the 3D model (3D Model Based Aproval process), also in cooperation with the classification society DNV and others.

Part of the Dutch shipbuilding group, Damen Engineering Gdansk was established in 2013. It designs prototypes of specialized vessels.