Samsung Heavy Industries is the first in the shipbuilding sector to transition to a 100% paperless shipyard. (Image courtesy of Samsung Heavy Industries)
SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – Samsung Heavy Industries, a major South Korean shipbuilder, announced on September 30 that it will implement 3D digital production blueprints for all shipbuilding operations starting in October, marking a significant leap in the industry’s digital transformation.
This move will eliminate the need for traditional production blueprints and inspection documents used throughout the ship design and manufacturing process. Samsung Heavy Industries is the first in the shipbuilding sector to transition to a 100% paperless shipyard.
Paper blueprints have long posed challenges in the industry. They are difficult to modify when design changes are necessary, prone to damage, and can lead to costly errors and delays if misinterpreted by workers.
The new digital production blueprints offer a more intuitive way to visualize ship block structures and functions.
They also enable real-time communication and accurate information sharing during the design and production phases, improving production efficiency while maintaining quality standards.
Samsung Heavy Industries expects this digital transition to yield substantial benefits. The company anticipates saving 600,000 sheets of paper annually used for production blueprints.
Additionally, for the design of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, the company projects a 45% reduction in man-hours required for outfitting installation designs.
To facilitate a smooth transition to this digital work environment, the company plans to distribute 3,000 tablet PCs to its workforce by next year. It also commits to continually improving the system’s performance to ensure ease of use for workers.
This initiative is part of a broader digital transformation strategy that Samsung Heavy Industries has been pursuing since 2019, encompassing production, design, and administrative operations.
The company aims to accelerate its evolution into an intelligent, autonomous shipyard by leveraging new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin systems.
“The full implementation of 3D digital production blueprints marks a crucial milestone in the digital transformation of the shipbuilding industry,” said Lee Wang-geun, a vice president at Samsung Heavy Industries.
“We will continue to expand the application of digital technologies to build a comprehensive smart integrated management infrastructure.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
