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Abstract
Warship construction is a complex project management exercise, involving multiple stakeholders. In the last decade, Indian Shipbuilding Industry has gone through a transformation like never before. The market has become fiercely competitive. Industry processes are undergoing a transformation with many new concepts and process improvements. The ongoing global pandemic has turned the global businesses on its head like never before. This paper aims to explore the challenges and the manner in which multiple digital processes of Industrial Revolution 4.0 were leveraged at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) from progressing concurrent design at remote locations to conducting Factory Acceptance Trials (FATs), Basin Trials (BT) and even during commissioning of the warship for Indian Navy and Coast Guard ships due to the severe physical restrictions imposed as a result of this pandemic.
GRSE has successfully commissioned a Naval Vessel, Landing Craft Unit (LCU) MKIV project L 58, during the global pandemic scenario where shipyard and OEMs were not physically available on site. Utilization of advanced digital tools like digital twin and virtual reality to co-ordinate with internationally located OEMs of Main Engine, Gearbox and propulsion system was critical in both successful FATS on one hand and commissioning of the propulsion system on-board on the other end of the spectrum. In addition to this, navigation system such as UHF, Satcom and MSS Terminal of the ship was commissioned with the help of remote assistance facilities.
A paradigm shift has also been institutionalised by conducting complete procurement process, from Pre-Bid meeting & Technical Negotiation meetings only through digital platforms resulting in faster overall procurement timeline. Entire Ship Design value chain from basic ship design to Production drawings between 3 stakeholders, design partner, shipyard and classification society, all located remotely was carried out entirely by leveraging the digital tools.
This paper aims to share our experience in leveraging the digital tools such as Artificial intelligence, Digital Twin and Virtual Reality. A case study is presented as a starting point, in which the digital tools were successfully utilized in shipyard environment for conducting activities involving multiple stakeholders located globally.