Malin Marine Consultants led the MariLight project to explore large-scale additive manufacturing as a means to reduce ship weight and carbon emissions. Using Altair Inspire for topology optimization, the team redesigned key ship structures, including bilge pump foundations, windlass foundations, and bulbous bows. Optimized designs achieved weight reductions between 24% and 38% while meeting or exceeding performance requirements. Designs were translated into manufacturable geometry and validated for large-scale additive manufacturing feasibility. The project demonstrated how optimization-driven design enables lighter, more sustainable marine structures and supports the maritime industry’s transition toward digital shipyards and reduced environmental impact.

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