DNV GL, lead researcher of Singapore-based program, to boost the use of additive manufacturing in the maritime sector

News from the 3D printing industry | 21 November 2021

The Oslo-based international classification society, DNV GL, has been appointed as the lead researcher of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore initiated Joint Industry Program (JIP), aiming to expand the use of 3D Printing in the maritime sector.

Spare Parts 3D and other JIP participants during the kick-off meeting and workshop at the DNV GL AM Technology Centre of Excellence. 

“Additive manufacturing holds great opportunities for the maritime industry. As the world’s leading classification society, our aim is to explore this technology in a way that customers can have the same confidence in AM products as they have in any other approved by class.”, Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, Regional Manager South East Asia, Pacific & India, DNV GL – Maritime

Also, Spare Parts 3D becomes a member of the DNV GL Global AM Innovation Centre of Excellence for the Joint Industry Programme launched by MPA, NAMIC and SS on the Feasibility of Additive Manufacturing for Marine Parts in Singapore.

Within JIP, Spare Parts 3D has been recognized as a specialist of structuring and analyzing spare parts databases. It is also seen as an expert in the systematization of an approach to transfer technologies from large numbers of parts to 3D printing. It will help to establish lists of commonly-ordered parts that are highly feasible for additive manufacturing with or without certification and those that are not feasible for additive manufacturing.

Thanks to this program, DNV GL will work with 10 Singapore Ship Association to examine the cost and time effectiveness of additive manufactured parts for vessels. This Joint Initiated Program also involves Port Singapore Authority International Pte Ltd (PSA), Singapore’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), and metal additive specialist, 3D MetalForge Pte Ltd.

According to the JIP, additive manufacturing is shown as an enabling technology for innovation and production efficiency in Singapore’s Sea Transport Industry and can help the maritime sector grow by $4.5 billion and create thousands of jobs.

“This technology can help not only to reduce costs of producing spare parts for vessels, but also to radically reinvent the production and logistics including using completely new and more suitable materials“, said Steen Brodsgaard Lund, Chairman of the SSA Technical Committee

To conclude, Brice Le Gallo, the regional manager of DNV GL – oil & gas and director of the Global Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Singapore, said that DNV GL is very proud to have been selected by MPA and SSA to manage this huge work in collaboration with major stakeholders and to help Singapore to develop a vibrant 3D printing ecosystem.

Sources: DNV GL &  3D Printing Industry