Session: 01-08-01 Digitalization, AI/ML, Digital Twins - I

Submission Number: 157479

A Markup Language for Maritime Systems: Advancing Data Interoperability 

Data interoperability remains a significant challenge in the maritime industry on the path towards realizing trustworthy digital twins. Various solutions are being explored to enhance data exchange, including standardizing models like ISO 10303 (STEP) 215/218, using neutral formats such as Open Class 3D Exchange Format (OCX), and creating specialized Application Protocol Interfaces (APIs) to improve data flow between CAD/CAE software for design verification. Despite these efforts, significant gaps remain in achieving data interoperability throughout a maritime systems’ lifecycle, particularly in effectively utilizing critical parameter data for design and operations. Existing models can be excessively detailed as in the case of STEP or too narrow in focusing at geometrical and functional attributes, limiting their practical use. This often leads to manual data exchange and conversion, resulting in the fragmentation of data across databases, models, drawings, and specifications and hindering integrated digital solutions in the maritime industry.

This paper reviews the existing gaps of current solutions and outlines a proposal for expressing maritime systems data, in particular ship data, called Vessel Markup Language (VsML). This is designed to capture the necessary parameters to represent a vessel during the conceptual and detailed design stages, with consideration of pertinent data that can be used in future stages such as construction and operations. It employs a geometry-first approach, integrating alphanumeric metadata that may not be captured in 3D models. The paper demonstrates the model’s structure and its potential use cases, offering a path to advancing interoperability issues and enhancing efficiency in maritime design and construction.

Presenting Author: Janica A. Bronson Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU

Presenting Author Biography: Janica is a current PhD Candidate for Maritime Computational Tools at NTNU. She completed a Master’s in Naval Architecture at the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Calgary in Canada. Before NTNU, she worked in industry at Robert Allan Ltd. and VARD Marine Inc., with a focus on ship concept design and the use of programmatic tools to improve decision-making, automate reference data handling, and design simulations. Her prior research involvements include machine learning for fuel consumption with BC Ferries and she is currently involved in the research and development of a PLM solution for European shipyards with the SEUS Project.