Lloyd’s Register has granted an Approval in Principle to Navantia, S.A. (Grupo SEPI) for its AI-based Digital Twin Ready framework, a step that clears a class-backed route for wider use of data-driven condition monitoring and digital health management systems in future naval programmes, according to Lloyd’s Register.
The approval follows LR’s technical assessment of Navantia’s development, governance and validation processes for digital twins, based on an air-cooling system digital twin developed for naval use.
LR said the review covered data and requirements engineering, AI model development and training, uncertainty management, and internal verification and validation under its ShipRight Digital Compliance Procedure for the Approval of Digital Health Management Systems.
The framework is designed to support the safe deployment of machine learning-based monitoring tools on naval platforms, a segment where adoption of digital twins has remained limited because of system complexity and the critical nature of operations.
Navantia’s air-cooling system digital twin uses data-driven algorithms and machine learning models to analyse sensor data, monitor system behaviour and detect early signs of abnormal performance, supporting maintenance and operational decisions.
The air-cooling equipment used in the initiative was made available by Frizonia. Javier de Juana, Naval Business Director at Lloyd’s Register, said: “As digital twins move from development to operational deployment, robust governance and independent assurance are becoming increasingly critical to ensure confidence in data driven technologies used on board complex naval platforms. This AiP demonstrates how those technologies can be assessed in a structured and repeatable way.”
The initiative is being implemented through Navantia’s COEX Digital Twin Centre of Excellence, which is intended to support industrial adoption of advanced digital technologies across programmes.
Ana Moya, Chief Technology and Digital Transformation Officer at Navantia, said: “The assessment carried out by Lloyd’s Register validates the maturity of Navantia’s digital twin framework, particularly in areas such as data governance, model validation and lifecycle management. This provides a solid basis for applying AI enabled digital health systems to operational naval platforms.”
Lloyd’s Register is a classification, compliance and assurance organisation providing technical verification, certification and advisory services to the marine and industrial sectors.
Navantia, S.A. (Grupo SEPI) is a Spanish state-owned shipbuilder and naval systems company operating within Grupo SEPI, with activities spanning naval construction, systems integration, sustainment and defence-related industrial technology.
Frizonia is a supplier of HVAC and refrigeration equipment for marine and specialised industrial applications.
