PLM for Marine and Offshore
Comprehensive digital solutions for the marine and offshore sector, encompassing shipbuilding, offshore energy, maritime operations, and sustainable ocean technologies.
The marine and offshore industry is undergoing significant transformation, including decarbonization mandates, digital transformation, and supply chain disruptions. These challenges demand innovative approaches to vessel design, fleet management, and regulatory compliance.
PLM (product lifecycle management) offers effective strategies to address these issues. Let’s explore your business’s unique challenges and build a robust, tailored set of solutions to help you stay one step ahead of the competition.

Tell us about your business challenges
Select the obstacles you’re ready to overcome. Then, let’s talk!
Once we know a bit more about your business, we’d be happy to put a custom demonstration together for you.
Product development
Complex operating environments demand innovative solutions that can withstand harsh conditions. Marine engineers need tools that support them in the design of equipment that resists corrosion, withstands extreme temperatures, and operates reliably in remote locations.
Corrosion resistance
Marine equipment is constantly exposed to saltwater and varying weather conditions capable of rapidly degrading many materials. This corrosion can lead to structural weakening, increased maintenance costs, and potential safety hazards. Companies must carefully choose materials that can withstand these corrosive elements while maintaining their structural integrity and performance over time.
fe-safe
Used to predict the corrosion fatigue life of components and structures subjected to cyclic loading in corrosive environments. fe-safe provides a comprehensive set of tools for corrosion fatigue analysis, enabling marine engineers to assess material performance under various corrosive conditions
Engineering simulation services
We apply advanced simulation techniques to evaluate material behavior in corrosive marine environments, helping you to make informed decisions about material choices to ensure long-term durability and performance.
Fatigue life
In marine environments, components are subjected to cyclic loading and corrosive conditions, which can lead to premature failure. Engineers must choose materials that can withstand repeated stress cycles without cracking or breaking over extended periods. This is particularly crucial for structures like ship hulls, offshore platforms, and subsea equipment.
Abaqus
Enables engineers to simulate and analyze the fatigue behavior of materials and structures. It offers advanced capabilities for modeling complex geometries, material properties, and loading conditions, allowing for accurate prediction of fatigue life under various operational scenarios.
Engineering simulation services
For the setup of sophisticated simulation models, interpretation of results, and optimization of designs to enhance fatigue resistance. Our simulation engineers conduct advanced simulations such as fatigue and durability analysis, ensuring the longevity and reliability of marine and offshore structures.
Hydrodynamic loading
Hydrodynamic loading is a critical design consideration in marine and offshore industries, involving the analysis of forces exerted by water on structures. This challenge requires accurate prediction and modeling of wave-induced loads, fluid-structure interactions, and dynamic responses of offshore structures.
XFlow
Offers advanced capabilities for addressing hydrodynamic loading challenges, such as particle-based Lattice-Boltzmann technology for complex CFD workflows; free-surface flow modeling for accurate simulation of wave-structure interactions; automatic lattice generation and adaptive refinement to minimize pre-processing time; high-fidelity WMLES (wall-modeled large eddy simulation) for turbulence modeling; and the ability to handle moving geometries, which is crucial for analyzing dynamic offshore structures.
Engineering services
For comprehensive support in hydrodynamic loading analysis, including concept development and detailed design, advanced 3D modeling and simulation tools, environmental impact assessments, stress and load analysis for ensuring structural integrity, and the integration of hydrodynamic considerations into overall structural design.
Structural integrity
Structural integrity is a critical aspect of offshore and marine engineering, ensuring that structures can withstand the harsh environmental conditions and operational demands throughout their lifespan. It involves assessing and maintaining the strength, stability, and reliability of offshore structures to prevent serious failures.
Abaqus
Offers advanced modeling capabilities for complex geometries and materials; non-linear static and dynamic analysis for accurate prediction of structural responses; fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis to assess long-term durability; fluid-structure interaction simulations to model wave and current effects; and the ability to simulate extreme loading conditions, including seismic events and impact loads.
Engineering simulation services
For detailed modeling of offshore structures and components; analysis of structural responses under various loading conditions; identification of stress concentrations and potential failure points; optimization of designs for improved strength and durability; fatigue life assessment and prediction; and the evaluation of structural performance under extreme environmental conditions.
Weight optimization
Balancing structural integrity with weight reduction is crucial for offshore structures. Excessive weight increases costs and affects stability, while insufficient strength compromises safety. Engineers must employ advanced materials, innovative design techniques, and optimization algorithms to achieve the optimal balance between weight and performance.
Tosca
Helps engineers create lightweight, high-performance structures using advanced algorithms to analyze structural performance and iteratively remove or redistribute material where it’s not needed.
Supports multiple stages of product development, including conceptualization, design, engineering, and manufacturing. Advanced product design and experience capabilities make CATIA an excellent tool for weight optimization in marine structures.
Engineering simulation services
For support identifying, analyzing, and optimizing materials and manufacturing methods to balance performance, cost, and environmental impact, which is especially important for weight optimization in marine applications.
Environmental simulation
Replicating offshore conditions in a controlled environment is challenging but essential for validating designs. Companies must develop sophisticated testing facilities and methodologies to simulate extreme weather, corrosive environments, and dynamic loading conditions accurately.
Provides capabilities for simulating physical phenomena such as structural mechanics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. Accurately model and analyze how products and components will behave in different environmental scenarios, reducing the need for physical prototypes.
Engineering simulation services
TECHNIA experts deploy advanced analysis solutions to optimize product performance, reliability, and efficiency. Our services include specialized capabilities like thermal analysis and coupled physics simulation to provide precise insights into how products will perform under specific environmental conditions.
Accelerated life testing
Predicting long-term performance in a short timeframe is crucial for offshore products. HALT (highly accelerated life testing) techniques are employed to stress products beyond their normal operating conditions, identifying potential failures and improving reliability.
fe-safe
Simulate various loading conditions and environmental factors that marine components may experience over their lifetime. Predict fatigue life based on stress-life, strain-life, and crack growth methodologies. Integrate analyses with FEA results to provide accurate fatigue life predictions based on complex loading scenarios. Offers advanced features like multi-axial fatigue analysis and vibration fatigue.
Engineering simulation services
For designing, setting up, and running complex simulations to predict long-term product performance. Our experts analyze and interpret simulation results to identify potential failure modes and areas for design improvement. We’ll then provide recommendations for design modifications to enhance product durability and reliability. Additionally, we can provide training and support to help in-house teams leverage fe-safe effectively for ongoing product development.
Prototype evaluation
Evaluating full-scale prototypes in real offshore conditions is complex and expensive. Companies must develop efficient strategies for scaled testing, combining laboratory experiments with numerical simulations to validate designs effectively. This process often involves iterative refinement based on test results.
For detailed 3D modeling of prototypes, allowing marine engineers to create highly accurate digital representations of components and systems. CATIA enables precise design iterations and virtual testing, reducing the need for physical prototypes.
Provides powerful simulation capabilities for virtual prototype testing. SIMULIA allows engineers to subject digital prototypes to various environmental conditions, loads, and stresses typically encountered in marine environments. This enables comprehensive performance analysis and optimization before, or in place of, physical prototyping.
Engineering services
From initial concept to final delivery, TECHNIA design engineers manage the entire development and evaluation process, ensuring seamless integration of design, development, and implementation. We deliver cost-effective, high-quality results on time and within budget while minimizing resource strain on your teams.
Manufacturing
The complexity of marine systems demands precise manufacturing processes and rigorous quality control. Manufacturers frequently face difficulties in sourcing specialized materials and components and often require custom solutions.
Welding processes
Offshore structures require high-quality, reliable welds to ensure structural integrity in harsh environments. Companies must develop and implement advanced welding techniques, considering factors such as material compatibility, stress distribution, and corrosion resistance. Ensuring weld quality and consistency across large structures is a significant challenge.
Enables virtual simulation and optimization of welding processes, including the testing of different welding parameters and sequences; identification of potential issues before physical implementation; optimization of welding paths and robot movements; and reduction of material waste and production time.
Provides advanced analysis of welding-induced stresses and deformations for the prediction and mitigation of welding distortions; analysis of residual stresses in welded structures; optimization of weld placement for structural integrity; and the evaluation of fatigue life from welded components.
Engineering simulation services
For comprehensive analysis of welding processes, including thermal analysis to predict heat distribution and cooling rates; structural integrity assessments of welded joints; optimization of welding parameters for specific materials; and custom simulation workflows for complex welding scenarios.
Composite layup
The use of composite materials in offshore applications offers weight reduction and corrosion resistance benefits. However, manufacturing large-scale composite structures requires specialized techniques and quality control measures.
Offers specialized composite design tools that enable engineers to create detailed 3D models of composite structures; define and manage complete stacking sequences; generate plies from virtual stacking designs; and perform advanced producibility analysis with fiber simulation for hand layup and fiber placement.
Provides a comprehensive library of complex material models for composites with powerful simulation capabilities for composite structures, including analysis of composite material behavior under various loading conditions; performance analysis and failure modes of composite layups; and simulation of damage and failure progression in composite structures.
Engineering services
For expert support in selecting appropriate composite materials for specific marine applications. Our design engineering teams offer CAD-based drafting services for creating laminate drawings and layup plan scans; optimization of laminate architecture to achieve required mechanical properties; and laminate design development tailored to meet functional, load scenario, and geometrical requirements.
Non-destructive inspection
NDI (non-destructive inspection) is an essential quality control method that helps to ensure product integrity and safety while minimizing costs associated with destructive testing. Challenges associated with this method of quality control include accurate detection of small defects; ensuring consistency of results; effective analysis of complex data; managing expenses for large or intricate structures, and risk mitigation.
Helps manage and track inspection data and processes by centralizing inspection records for easy access and analysis, facilitating collaboration between quality control teams, and ensuring traceability and compliance with industry standards.
Supports the planning of inspection procedures with virtual modeling to optimize workflows. Reduces errors by providing augmented reality guidance for inspectors, and minimizes inspection time by automating report generation.
Dimensional accuracy
Maintaining precise dimensions across large offshore structures is challenging due to factors such as thermal expansion, material deformation, and assembly tolerances. Companies must implement sophisticated measurement techniques and quality control processes to ensure components fit together accurately during assembly.
By connecting all aspects of product development, 3DEXPERIENCE helps maintain dimensional accuracy throughout the manufacturing process. Provides seamless integration of CAD, CAM, and quality control processes; real-time collaboration across teams; simulation and virtual testing environments to predict and optimize dimensional accuracy; and centralized data management for consistent quality standards.
Q-Checker helps identify and resolve dimensional accuracy issues early in the design process, reducing errors and rework in manufacturing. With over 400 configurable checks for geometric quality and methodology, automated verification of CATIA models against company standards, and detection and correction of common modeling errors, Q-Checker promotes consistent modeling practices across multidisciplinary teams.
Surface finish
Proper surface finish directly impacts product performance, aesthetics, and subsequent manufacturing processes. It's crucial for ensuring effective coating adhesion, optimizing hydrodynamic performance, preventing corrosion and fouling, and meeting aesthetic requirements.
Provides powerful tools for designing and specifying surface finishes, including advanced surface modeling capabilities for creating high-quality, complex surfaces; tools for analyzing surface quality and continuity; the ability to define and annotate specific surface finish requirements; and integration with other design processes to ensure surface finish specifications are carried through to manufacturing.
Offers capabilities for simulating and optimizing surface finishing processes, including virtual simulation of surface finishing operations like polishing, sanding, and painting; tools for analyzing and optimizing robotic surface finishing processes; the ability to validate surface finishing strategies before physical implementation; and integration with design data to ensure manufacturability of specified surface finishes.
Material procurement
Sourcing specialized materials for offshore applications can be challenging due to limited suppliers, long lead times, and stringent quality requirements. Companies must develop robust procurement strategies, including supplier qualification processes and inventory management systems, to ensure a reliable supply of critical materials.
For centralizing supplier information and material specifications; supporting collaboration across various disciplines involved in procurement; and ensuring all stakeholders have access to up-to-date supplier and material data.
Our proprietary B2B supplier hub helps streamline interactions between businesses and suppliers; enhance data integrity and quality in supplier communications; secure and control sharing of product data with suppliers; and improve overall supplier performance through real-time monitoring.
Lead time optimization
Long lead times for specialized components and materials can significantly impact project schedules. Companies must implement advanced planning and scheduling systems, leveraging techniques such as concurrent engineering and just-in-time manufacturing to minimize lead times and improve project efficiency.
Logistics coordination
Coordinating the transportation and assembly of large offshore structures presents significant logistical challenges. Companies must develop comprehensive logistics plans, considering factors such as transportation methods, assembly sequences, and on-site installation requirements to ensure efficient and safe delivery of components to offshore locations.
Plan and optimize logistics and material flow across the entire manufacturing lifecycle. DELMIA enables manufacturers to virtually model, simulate, and optimize production processes before physical implementation, helping to reduce costs and improve efficiency in logistics coordination.
Enables real-time communication, data sharing, and decision-making among different stakeholders involved in logistics coordination. By providing a collaborative environment for coordinating logistics across the supply chain, 3DEXPERIENCE integrates various aspects of product development, including logistics planning, so that multidisciplinary teams can work together seamlessly.
Regulatory compliance
The cost implications of meeting new regulatory standards, such as emissions reduction and ballast water management, can be substantial. That's why it's vital that companies deploy the right tools for coordinating inspections and maintaining proper documentation for certification across multiple geographies.
Occupational health
Ensuring worker safety in the hazardous offshore environment is paramount. Companies must develop and implement comprehensive safety protocols, training programs, and risk assessment methodologies to address unique challenges such as confined spaces, extreme weather, and remote locations.
Provides a centralized system for managing quality documents, including SOPs (standard operating procedures) and work instructions; revision and access control to ensure workers always use the latest safety protocols; tracking of user training on updated safety procedures; and electronic sign-offs for regulatory compliance.
Enables the simulation and optimization of production processes with a focus on worker safety. This includes virtual factory process simulation to validate assembly operations; ergonomics and work safety analysis to prevent work-related injuries; creation of clear, visual work instructions to ensure safe operating procedures; and VR (virtual reality) capabilities for immersive safety training and process validation.
Engineering simulation services
Our experts apply advanced simulation techniques to enhance occupational safety. Validations include crash and impact simulations to assess potential hazards; fatigue and durability analysis to ensure long-term safety of equipment; FEA-based design analysis for powertrains, engines, and other critical components; and simulation of complex loading conditions and vibration effects on structures.
Environmental regulations
Complying with increasingly stringent environmental regulations while maintaining operational efficiency is challenging. Companies must develop innovative technologies and practices to minimize environmental impact, including emissions reduction, waste management, and ecosystem protection strategies.
Provides powerful simulation tools for modeling and predicting emissions and pollutant dispersion; analyzing energy efficiency and optimizing fuel consumption; simulating fluid dynamics for improved hull designs; and evaluating noise pollution and vibration effects.
Provides data intelligence capabilities to track and analyze environmental compliance data. This supports sustainable operations by monitoring real-time environmental performance metrics; analyzing trends in emissions, waste management, and energy usage; generating compliance reports for regulatory bodies; and identifying areas for improvement in environmental practices
Classification societies
Meeting the diverse requirements of classification societies for offshore structures and equipment is complex. Companies must navigate varying standards and certification processes, ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions and adapting to evolving regulations.
Supports detailed design and documentation processes required for classification society approvals. With its advanced modeling capabilities, CATIA enables engineers to create precise designs that adhere to the stringent requirements set by classification societies, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
fe-safe
With a focus on durability assessment for components subjected to cyclic loading, fe-safe is essential for meeting the standards of classification societies, enabling engineers to predict the fatigue life of structures and optimize designs for longevity and safety.
Engineering services
From conceptual design to detailed design and manufacturability optimization, our experts will ensure that all designs meet the rigorous requirements of classification societies. Drawing on our deep expertise in marine engineering, we help clients achieve compliance with both classification standards and regulatory requirements efficiently.
Local authorities
Addressing the specific requirements of local regulatory bodies in different offshore regions adds complexity to compliance efforts. Companies must develop flexible compliance strategies that can adapt to diverse local regulations while maintaining consistent global standards for safety and quality.
Offers a unified, collaborative space where teams can work together to ensure regulatory requirements are met throughout the product lifecycle. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform’s integrated approach allows for real-time tracking and management of compliance-related data, helping companies stay up-to-date with local authority requirements.
While CAVA is primarily designed for the automotive industry, its approach to validating designs against standards and regulations has been adapted for marine and offshore compliance with local authorities. CAVA’s ability to analyze critical data and ensure legal compliance in design and architecture is invaluable for marine and offshore companies dealing with local regulatory challenges.
Maintenance and repair
Maintenance and repair in the marine and offshore sector are particularly challenging due to the harsh operating conditions and remote locations. Corrosion from saltwater and extreme weather constantly threatens equipment integrity, so predictive maintenance and condition monitoring are essential tools for managing associated risks and costs.
Sensor integration
Integrates sensor data from multiple sources to create comprehensive digital twins of marine assets. This allows for real-time monitoring and analysis of equipment performance, facilitating predictive maintenance and optimizing operational efficiency.
#features
Data analytics
Transforms large volumes of complex data into actionable insights using AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) to analyze condition monitoring data. Capabilities include trend identification from complex datasets, real-time monitoring and analytics, customizable dashboards for visualizing key metrics, and smart tagging with data visualization for easier interpretation.
For the creation of predictive models based on analyzed condition monitoring data. Capabilities include advanced algorithms and solvers for high-fidelity simulations, comprehensive simulation workflows from pre-processing to result analysis, scripting and customization options, and multiphysics simulations for modeling complex system behaviors.
Engineering simulation services
Our simulation engineers can develop custom data analytics workflows for condition monitoring. Services include structural analysis, CFD analysis, material modeling, development of tailored simulation solutions for customer-specific requirements, integration of simulation tools with existing systems and processes, and support for decision-making through advanced data analysis and visualization.
Inventory management
Offers robust inventory management capabilities for spare parts in marine and offshore industries. It enables real-time tracking and optimization of inventory levels, ensuring critical components are always available when needed.
Enhances spare parts management through modeling and simulation of maintenance operations. This helps determine optimal inventory levels based on usage patterns, lead times, and criticality of components. Taking a proactive approach like this minimizes downtime and reduces excess inventory costs.
Obsolescence mitigation
Provides comprehensive lifecycle tracking capabilities for spare parts, enabling organizations to monitor the status of components throughout their lifecycle; identify potential obsolescence issues early; maintain a centralized database of spare parts information; and support informed decisions on inventory management and part replacements.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform supports the redesign process for obsolete components by providing a unified environment for cross-functional teams to work together on obsolescence challenges, using powerful 3D modeling and simulation tools to evaluate replacement options.
Let's solve your challenges, together
This page lists some of the most common challenges in the Marine and offshore industry. If all of this sounds a lot like your business, don’t worry, you’re not alone!
How do we know? We’ve worked with hundreds of businesses across Marine and offshore industries, and we’ve solved all of these challenges before. We’d love to work together with you to implement a solution that set you up for success.