Navantia is advancing propulsion system design through a highly automated digital engineering approach that accelerates concept evaluation and reduces design fixation. By combining commercial simulation tools, in-house Python automation and parallel computation, the solution rapidly explores and optimises architectures, enabling faster requirements verification, deeper analysis and more informed engineering decisions for future naval vessels.

Digital transformation is reshaping shipbuilding through integrated design and engineering digital threads that connect data, tools and stakeholders across the vessel lifecycle. Challenging the limitations of the traditional design spiral, emerging V-model approaches promise greater agility, collaboration and resilience, enabling shipyards to accelerate innovation and adapt effectively for future demands.

Industry 4.0 is redefining shipbuilding as digital twins and advanced CAD platforms connect design, construction and operations through a unified digital ecosystem. This perspective explores how evolving engineering tools, data-driven workflows and integrated lifecycle management can enhance collaboration, accelerate innovation and strengthen competitiveness, shaping the future of maritime development ahead.

Grillage structural analysis is streamlining ship design by providing a faster alternative to conventional finite element modelling. Developed for classification and shipyard applications, a new specialised analysis tool enables rapid structural assessment, reducing modelling effort and computational time while supporting more efficient design verification and decision-making throughout ship development.

Large language models and multi-agent AI could accelerate early-stage ship design by transforming operational concepts into optimisation and simulation models. Combining AI assistance with model-based systems engineering, this approach automates key development steps, reduces modelling effort and expands design-space exploration, offering naval architects new opportunities for faster, more informed decision-making.

A real-time Ship Operation Optimisation System could transform maritime efficiency by combining vessel performance data, situational awareness and decision-support capabilities into a single operational framework. Integrating technical and operational measures, the approach promises reduced fuel consumption, lower emissions, improved CII compliance and enhanced safety, while expanding operational flexibility in challenging conditions.

Ship design complexity is accelerating, challenging naval architects to balance safety, sustainability, innovation and regulatory demands. A novel node-network methodology organizes multidisciplinary calculations around a 3D product model, enabling faster analysis, greater design transparency and flexible optimisation. The approach reveals new possibilities for more informed engineering decisions at scale today.

A structured methodology is improving conceptual design of complex systems where requirements, components and constraints are not yet fully defined. Combining Object-Process Methodology with System Dynamics simulation, the approach enables comparison of alternative concepts, reveals critical trade-offs and causal relationships, and supports more informed design decisions for innovative engineering challenges.

Digital assembly simulation is helping shipbuilders tackle one of production’s most complex challenges: piping installation. By combining collision-free path planning algorithms with automated assembly sequence generation and validation against real-world CAD models, the approach improves constructability assessment, installation planning and procurement decisions, enabling more efficient and reliable shipbuilding processes.

Navantia is advancing digital shipbuilding through an integrated design methodology that connects CAD, structural analysis and lifecycle management within a unified digital engineering environment. By linking 3D models, finite element simulations and PLM workflows from concept through construction, the approach improves collaboration, design accuracy and traceability, enabling faster decisions and more efficient ship development.

A shift toward model-based structural approval is transforming collaboration between shipbuilders and classification societies. By embedding structural scantling data directly within 3D models, this approach promises improved traceability, reduced documentation effort and faster approvals. Early proof-of-concept work highlights remaining challenges in standardising complex structural details for a fully digital future.

Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems are accelerating maritime decarbonisation through advanced digital engineering. By combining aerofoil optimisation, high-fidelity fluid dynamics and structural simulation within an integrated 3DEXPERIENCE® workflow, engineers can maximise propulsion efficiency, reduce emissions and shorten development cycles, demonstrating how virtual design technologies are enabling more sustainable shipping solutions.