HD Hyundai has chosen Siemens Xcelerator as the foundation for its new integrated digital shipbuilding platform. The platform is a central part of HD Hyundai’s “Future of Shipyard” project, which aims to complete a modernized, digitally enabled shipyard by 2030. This initiative is intended to address long-standing issues with data continuity in ship design and production and to create a more organized digital environment for shipbuilding.
Taejin Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Digital Innovation Office at HD Hyundai, said, “The selection of Siemens Xcelerator represents an important milestone in advancing HD KSOE’s digital shipbuilding strategy. By establishing an integrated digital platform that ensures consistency from design through production, we aim to address long-standing data discontinuity challenges and create a more structured and collaborative shipbuilding environment. This initiative will strengthen our ability to execute increasingly complex projects while enhancing efficiency, quality and competitiveness across our global shipyard operations.”
Tony Hemmelgarn, president and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries Software, stated, “Since 2022, Siemens’ collaboration with HD Hyundai has been focused on the future of shipbuilding and the development of next-generation digital design and production platforms. Siemens Xcelerator and our comprehensive digital twin technologies are well-positioned to support a unified digital thread across design, engineering and production. We look forward to helping HD Hyundai establish a scalable, open and future-ready manufacturing innovation platform that supports sustainable growth and operational excellence.”
The planned platform will use the Siemens Xcelerator open digital business system to connect key data from initial design through final production. Real-time connections between these stages will reduce inefficiencies caused by data gaps between processes. Standardized data flows will link systems such as computer-aided design (CAD), product lifecycle management (PLM), automation, simulation, and digital manufacturing so that major activities like planning or construction can be virtually reviewed before physical work begins.
HD Hyundai also plans to apply model-based engineering practices more widely within this environment. The company intends for block assembly, welding information, piping details, and electrical systems data to be managed within one integrated 3D model—improving accuracy in both design work and shop-floor operations.
The new platform is expected to cover various types of vessels—including commercial ships as well as specialized ones—and enable structured management of equipment data along with lifecycle-focused maintenance support for overseas projects.
Another aspect involves building photorealistic digital versions of ships using AI trained on synthetic industrial data inside what is called the Industrial Metaverse. This approach allows interactive visualization based on Siemens’ digital twin technology.
Implementation will occur in phases starting in 2026; operational use aboard vessels is targeted for 2028.
Siemens brings expertise from multiple technology sectors including Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, Mobility, Healthineers, according to its official website. The company also emphasizes sustainability through its DEGREE framework—addressing decarbonization and resource efficiency among other priorities. [Source] Roland Busch serves as president and chief executive officer. [Source] With a presence in nearly all countries, [Source] Siemens is recognized for breakthrough technologies supporting sustainability efforts. [Source]
