HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has recently announced a groundbreaking development in the shipbuilding industry: a new 3D printing technology for emergency maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) on operating ships. This innovation, marking a world first, was successfully evaluated and demonstrated at HD Hyundai Samho in Mokpo. The project, supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, involves a consortium including Ulsan Metropolitan City, CSCAM, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HMM, and Korean Register, and is expected to be completed by December this year.
The demonstration of this technology is a significant step forward in the digitalization of the shipbuilding and shipping industries. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has verified the operation of 3D printing equipment onboard, focusing on reducing ship motion and vibration, which are critical factors in the harsh marine environment. The introduction of 3D printing technology allows necessary parts to be produced onboard at any time and replaced immediately, streamlining MRO processes and enhancing operational efficiency.
A company official stated, “Through this demonstration, we were able to confirm the competitiveness of 3D printing technology in the shipbuilding industry.” This sentiment underscores the potential of 3D printing to revolutionize ship maintenance and repair, offering a faster and more cost-effective solution compared to traditional methods.