France-based classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) together with 3D Metal Forge (3DMF) and ship operator PACC Offshore Services Holdings Ltd (POSH) have been awarded co-funding for their joint industry project (JIP) on additive manufacturing for the maritime sector.

This project is one of 11 digitalisation projects awarded Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) co-funding by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). MPA had earlier worked with the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) and the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) to support a market feasibility study on Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly referred to as 3D printing, for commonly ordered marine parts.

By using additive manufacturing within the maritime industry, BV, 3DMF, and POSH aim to:

• Improve operational efficiency and reduce risks for the replacement of critical components which might keep a ship tied up in dock or that might prevent a ship from functioning safely and effectively;
• Eliminate the need for physical inventory, storage, potentially complex distribution, and logistics costs;
• And, provide cost benefits to clients, particularly for the procurement of hard to source, obsolete, and out of stock spare parts.

Following a joint survey conducted onboard a POSH vessel, four components have been identified for additive manufacturing. These pieces will be built by 3DMF with technologies including fused filament fabrication, laser powder bed fusion, and directed energy deposition that leverage the design and material advantages offered by utilising additive Manufacturing.

Upon the successful demonstration and installation onboard a Singapore-flagged vessel, BV will inspect the identified components to ensure conformity and safety. BV experts will also verify the entire additive manufacturing process from design, through qualification, and into production.

The certified final products owned by POSH will be installed onboard the vessel for trials lasting between three to six months. The AHTS POSH Teal, has been nominated as the trial vessel.

David Barrow, Marine & Offshore, Vice-President South Asia and Pacific, Bureau Veritas commented, “This project is a prime example of industry working in a collaborative manner to help ensure innovation success. Additive manufacturing – if undertaken under controlled conditions and appropriate processes – will change the way we order components, all whilst ensuring a continued high level of quality and safety. Working with POSH and 3DMF has helped ensure that such high standards are not only met but exceeded. We look forward to continued collaboration in this area to ensure the entire benefits of AM are achieved.”

“Additive manufacturing helps in getting custom, purpose-built certified parts delivered in shorter lead times. We look forward to working with BV onboard POSH’s vessel.” Matthew Waterhouse, CEO, 3D Metalforge added.

“We are excited to be part of another groundbreaking project with Bureau Veritas, and now also with 3DMF to explore the potential of deploying 3D printed parts and technology at sea. This is in line with our innovation roadmap and commitment to continually deliver value-added solutions for customers, and catalyse step change for the maritime sector with like-minded partners,” said Danny Chong, General Manager, Centres of Excellence, POSH.