Seaspan Shipyards launches HoloShip facility with VR environment for shipbuilding and fleet maintenance

Seaspan has launched its new HoloShip facility, an immersive visualization system. This new virtual-reality environment will enable Seaspan and the Canadian marine industry to develop, integrate, test, and demonstrate new digital twin capabilities and transform how ships are built, constructed, and maintained.

HoloShip enables designers, engineers, production teams, and customers to virtually experience a fully detailed, 3D, highly accurate digital model of the vessel on a 5.6-metre-wide display wall.

Using 3D and virtual reality headsets, participants are transported onto the ship, and are able to move about to view and interact with the space, equipment, components, systems, and subsystems. Participants also can access the HoloShip via a networked system at a remote location.

The HoloShip platform enables engineering and design teams to assess and evaluate a wide range of uses and scenarios across all stages of a vessel’s lifecycle, from design and construction to delivery, operations, maintenance, and training. Integrating advanced visualization systems allows teams to optimize models and collaborate effectively with customers.

Emerging digital twin technologies can be leveraged to aid vessel owners and operators to reduce downtime for repair; more effectively maintain, sustain, and enhance fleets; and lower vessel cost of ownership.

The platform will immediately benefit the non-combat vessels that Seaspan is constructing for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), including the Polar Icebreaker and multipurpose vessels that are currently in the design phase.

The HoloShip platform is part of Seaspan Shipyards value proposition commitments under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.