Joint industry program in Singapore aims to boost the use of additive manufacturing in the maritime industry

DNV GL has been appointed as the lead researcher of the first phase of a new Singapore-based program to study the feasibility of additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, in the maritime industry. In a joint industry program (JIP) initiated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), DNV GL will team up with ten member companies of the Singapore Ship Association (SSA) to examine how spare parts produced by 3D printers can help the capital-intensive industry to cut costs and downtimes.

The goal of the JIP is to establish a list of commonly-ordered parts that are highly feasible for 3D printing with or without certification respectively not feasible for 3D printing. The findings aim to encourage more maritime players to adopt AM to optimize their spare parts supply, and overall to strengthen Singapore’s value proposition as a one-stop shop with port services supporting a diverse ecosystem of shipping lines and maritime companies.  

To date, the challenges of marine parts inventory include not only inventory costs, low utilization rates and parts obsolescence, but also complex supply chains and accompanying logistics costs. AM technology has the potential to revolutionize the way marine spare parts are designed, manufactured, and distributed to end users. In addition, on-site manufacturing for maintenance becomes an important application of AM.  

“Additive manufacturing holds great opportunities for the maritime industry,” said Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, Regional Manager South East Asia, Pacific & India, DNV GL – Maritime. “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.” 

The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) underlined the disruptive potential of AM, which so far has seen only a moderate uptake in the industry. "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. "Elements potentially replaced by modern materials include brass components," he explained. 

“We believe that the best way forward in the development of AM is collaboration across the ecosystem,” commented Kenneth Lim, Director, Research & Technology and Industry Development Transformation at MPA. “As Singapore seeks to be the global maritime hub for connectivity, innovation and talent, we are excited to see that multiple stakeholders are together exploring the potential of how additive manufacturing can be applied in the maritime industry to create greater value.”  

AM as an enabling technology for innovation and productivity improvements in the maritime sector is one part of Singapore's Sea Transport Industry Transformation Map, to grow the maritime sector's value-add by $4.5 billion and create more than 5,000 highly qualified jobs by 2025. In 2015 Singapore also saw the start-up of a National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) to speed up industrial adoption of AM.  

"We are very proud to have been selected by MPA and SSA to spearhead this important work in collaboration with major stakeholders and contribute to helping Singapore develop a vibrant AM ecosystem," said Brice Le Gallo, Regional Manager DNV GL – Oil & Gas and Director of the Global Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Singapore which was opened by DNV GL last year. The incubator's main aim is to push forward AM development in the offshore, marine and oil & gas sectors.  

In 2018, DNV GL also released the first approval of manufacturer (AoM) scheme for additive manufacturing producers wishing to supply products that comply with the DNV GL rules and standards, following the publication of the first guideline for the use of AM in the maritime and oil & gas industries in 2017.    

About DNV GL 

Driven by our purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, DNV GL enables organizations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. We provide classification, technical assurance, software and independent expert advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas and energy industries. We also provide certification services to customers across a wide range of industries. Operating in more than 100 countries, our professionals are dedicated to helping our customers make the world safer, smarter and greener. 

About MPA 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development. 

About SSA 

The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) represents a wide spectrum of shipping companies and other businesses allied to the shipping industry. It is a national trade association formed in 1985 to serve and promote the interests of its members and to enhance the competitiveness of Singapore as an International Maritime Centre. The SSA engages and collaborate with the shipping industry key stakeholder and is a trusted advisor and partner to related government agencies. The SSA also plays an active role in promoting the interests of shipping in Singapore and internationally. Today, the SSA represents over 460 member companies; comprising ship owners and operators, ship managers, ship agents and other ancillary companies such as shipbrokers, classification societies, marine insurers, bunker suppliers, maritime lawyers, and shipping bankers amongst others.  For more information, visit SSA’s website.