Euromind (2009)

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2.2 Business processes in shipbuilding
As can be seen in figures 1 and 2 shipbuilding is a complex process with a lot of actors, a lot of information in different
types and formats, a high competitive international arena, an extreme customer focus (one-off’s or small
series) with a great dynamic which requires flexibility in the structures e.g. for digital information exchange.
Shipbuilding is project driven. Parties are mostly organised around a project. In new projects mostly (partly) new
parties cooperate. All processes are highly interconnected and complex, where main and sub-processes depend on
each other and price calculation of the ship depends on experience gained in previous ships of similar types. Only
for major installations like the propulsion system, actual prices are enquired from suppliers due to the specific
one-off specification of the product.
2.3 Shipbuilding supply chain
BioHealth
Operational sequences and tasks in shipbuilding in the various phases of the shipbuilding supply chain starting
from acquisition, via design (and engineering), via logistics (e.g. scheduling and purchasing) through production
and maintenance (e.g. spare part management and after sales/guarantee) are in practice integrated to a varying
degree, and manifold software tools are implemented. The shipbuilding processes are increasingly executed by
working groups and in networks. From early design throughout shipbuilding projects simultaneous engineering
takes place and involves shipyard service providers, system integrators, product suppliers and even other shipyards.
Contrary to the many attempts in the field of process and product modelling, harmonisation (i.e. relating
processes to each other whereby effective and efficient digital information exchange is made possible) of processes
of the different cooperation partners up till now has not been achieved.
In the shipbuilding supply chain - from quotation to delivery - the design and engineering process are central. In
the ‘specify ship’ phase (see chapter 3 where these standard names for phases are explained) the full functionality
of the ship is defined, systems are calculated and dimensioned, major components defined and the basic topology
configured. In this so-called preliminary design phase the functional and special interfaces are resolved. In this
process, the system integrators are deeply involved. In the detailed design (including approval by classification
societies) all reference documentation is being prepared in time with the production process.
Also, external design offices are often involved in this in cooperation with the shipyard’s and suppliers’ own engineering
offices. This complex process of shipbuilding with a lot of actors, a lot of phases and a lot of types of information
is shown in Figure 1.
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