Digital technologies are rapidly advancing with digital twins of vessels being used to improve design, engineering, classification, maintenance and operations
Virtual twin use is moving from pilot projects to operational use, with 3D models increasingly used for ship design, engineering and classification. With the models kept updated using high-quality data, digital twins can be used for predictive analytics, system maintenance, fuel efficiency and voyage optimisation.
An expert panel discussed the applications and future developments of this advanced digital technology during Riviera’s Digital Twin Integration: From Concept to Fleet-Wide Value webinar, which was held on 24 October 2025 during Riveria’s Vessel Optimisation Webinar Week.
On the panel were Indian Register of Shipping (IR Class) chief technology officer Rabindra Sah and Kongsberg Maritime vice president for special projects and product line manager for performance and fleet management, Anders Bryhni.
They detailed the latest deployments in digital twins, the integration challenges and how to unlock the full value of virtual twins across vessel lifecycles.
Mr Sah explained how IR Class is spearheading the use of virtual, or digital, twins when classifying ships and approving newbuilding designs at shipyards. It is using Dassault Systemes’ digital platform 3DExperience to create virtual twins of ships for lifecycle assessments and 3D classification.
Mr Sah said these 3D models can be a “single source of truth” that multiple stakeholders can use to collaborate in ship design, construction and lifecycle management.
“We have taken an initiative in digital transformation with virtual twins that include high-fidelity digital models of ships for design, operational history and lifecycle evolution, using real-world data for simulation and monitoring,” he said.
“Virtual twins will help in the future for lifecycle assessment”
“We have started with collaboration and technology development to monitor, predict and optimise behaviour, for vessel lifecycle management and ongoing classification.”
Multiple layers of information, such as steel thickness measurements and performance data, can be stacked together in a digital model, which can be used for 3D class, predictive maintenance and data analysis.
“Virtual twins will help in the future for lifecycle assessment,” added Mr Sah. “They can be a single source of proof for all stakeholders with access to the same data and content for plan approval and advanced analytics.”
IR Class will continue to develop virtual twins enabling more opportunities for collaboration and increasing the efficiency of ship design, engineering and construction.
“This is the way forward for shipyards, class societies, naval architects and owners. We see 3D model-based classification replacing traditional 2D-based class,” said Mr Sah.
Future uses could include “predictive analysis, forecasting machinery failures, reducing downtime, simulating preventative actions and for health and emissions monitoring.”
