Mari4_YARD hosted its 4th Workshop in O Porrino, Pontevedra, Spain. The event took place on November 14th at AIMEN, Centro tecnologico, coordinator of the project.

What is Mari4_YARD? Mari4_YARD is a collaborative effort involving 18 partners from 9 European countries, including Spain, Germany, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. The project’s mission is to develop user-centric solutions for flexible and modular manufacturing in small and medium-sized shipyards.

Key Technologies Mari4_YARD is focused on developing innovative technologies to enhance shipbuilding efficiency and competitiveness:

  • Digital Solutions for 3D Modeling: These solutions will streamline the retrofitting and repairing of vessels, reducing rework and changes by up to 60%.
  • Safe Robot-Based Solutions: Collaborative robots will be integrated into the shipyard environment to improve efficiency and reduce process time.
  • AR/MR Tools: Augmented and mixed reality tools will assist workers in positioning equipment and subassemblies with greater precision.
  • AI-Enhanced Exoskeletons: Exoskeletons powered by AI will reduce worker fatigue and improve task quality and precision.

Why Mari4_YARD? The project aims to strengthen the competitiveness of European small and medium-sized shipyards, creating new jobs and fostering economic growth. By focusing on user-centric solutions, Mari4_YARD is poised to revolutionize the shipbuilding industry.

THE AGENDA

The afternoon round table at the 4th workshop of Mari4_YARD focused on the challenges and opportunities in maritime technology.

Our panelists represented the main categories of stakehlders relevant to Mari4_YARD:

from shipyards: David Freire from Freire Shipyard – C.N.P.FREIRE, S.A; Javier Pérez Mein from Nodosa Group;

Maritime associations: Rafael Dominguez Lago from ASOCIACION CLUSTER NAVAL GALLEGO; and Martine Gatsonides from NMT | Netherlands Maritime Technology;

Academic associations in Maritime: Ioannis Ergas from the European Association of universities in Marine Technology and Related Sciences (WEGEMT)

Highlights

Shipyard Challenges:

🔹 Real-world Testing. There’s a need to test new technologies in real-world shipyard conditions to assess their practical usability.

🔹Space and Cost Constraints. Implementing large-scale robotic systems requires significant space and investment.

🔹Production Disruption. Integrating new technologies into existing production processes can be disruptive and requires careful planning.

Workforce and Skills Gap:

🔹Attracting Young Talent. The maritime sector struggles to attract young talent compared to industries like automotive.

🔹Bridging the Academia-Industry Gap. Improved communication and collaboration between academia and industry can help address skills gaps and foster innovation.

Recommendations:

🔹Investment in Planning. Shipyards should invest in planning to prepare for technological advancements and upskill their workforce.

🔹Tailored Technology Adoption. New technologies should be tailored to specific shipyard needs and capabilities.

🔹Engaging End-Users. Involving end-users in the technology adoption process can increase acceptance and success.

🔹Strategic Consulting. A strategic consultant can bridge the gap between technology developers and end-users, identifying problems and recommending solutions.

🔹Leveraging Didactic Factories. Mari4_YARD’s didactic factories can help change end-user perceptions and drive adoption of new technologies.

By addressing these challenges and implementing the recommended strategies, the European shipyards can embrace technological advancements and ensure its future competitiveness.

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Download the workshop presentations: