There are two types of ships: passenger and cargo. Ships travelling on the sea are ”closed cities”, so they are independent unities and vulnerable on safety aspects. The new, networking way of ship building industry makes the process flexible and each company can concentrate to its special skills. In ships to be built there are tens digital systems both on deck and machine sectors. The systems are not pretested before installation, but on site with try/fail method. The issues in complementary in systems leads to safety risks to passengers, personnel and environment.

In near future, many large, new generation ships are built in Rauma Seaside Industry Park. A need to have independent pre-testing of digital systems has raised from companies from Satakunta. Pretesting minimizes remarkable the risk for safety and environment. LaivaDigiLab’s preparation has been based on Regional Development Plan, especially goals on theme 2.  In preparation phase we have made detailed analyses of needs, which is based on co-operation with companies and vast experience of SAMK within the theme.

In LaivaDigiLab an independent digital laboratory for pre-testing in ship building processes is established to ensure complementary of digital systems and to ensure safety. Real shipbuilding processes are used as example cases. In LaivaDigiLab work to be done: 1) map in detail the current situation within digital systems in ship building processes; 2) pilot LaivaDigiLab’s digital pretesting; 3) form and develope an expert network for shipbuilding experts in Satakunta and expanded to a larger network in Satakunta and nationally; 4) form a digital laboratory for pre-testing in ship building ”LaivaDigiLab”; 5) communicate successfully the project results; 6) do exact project management.

The key target groups in the project are small and medium sized enterprises (shipyards with their subcontractors; technology companies and system providers to deck and machine systems, shipping companies, industrial parks). LaivaDigiLab combines the expertise of companies to Satakunta University of Applied Sciences expertise on maritime safety and energy efficiency. The project has analysed gender equality and it is developed, as well as sustainable development with all aspects: technology, legislation and skill development.