In the maritime world, the need for spare parts can turn from routine to critical when you're miles away from the nearest port. It's a logistical challenge that has plagued the industry for years. Enter Pelagus 3D, a joint venture between Thyssenkrupp and Wilhelmsen, unveiled at the NAMIC Global Additive Manufacturing Summit 2023. Interestingly, the venture is based in Singapore, a city-state with a maritime history that stretches back centuries, adding a layer of historical resonance to this modern innovation.
Pelagus 3D, whose name means "The Open Sea," is more than just another digital platform. It aims to tackle the long-standing issue of procuring spare parts at sea by offering 3D-priced procurement solutions. The platform aspires to make digital warehousing and on-demand spare parts not just a lofty idea but an operational reality.
The venture has set its sights high, aiming to serve more than 3,000 vessels and oil and gas platforms worldwide. While the collaboration between a German industrial company and a Norwegian maritime firm may seem unusual, it's this very diversity that could make Pelagus 3D a game-changer in the industry.
The platform is designed to serve a variety of stakeholders, from fleet managers and oil & gas end users to OEMs and additive manufacturers. With the backing of Thyssenkrupp's technological capabilities and Wilhelmsen's extensive maritime network, Pelagus 3D could well be the catalyst for a new era of cooperation and efficiency in maritime logistics.
Pelagus 3D represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient maritime industry. By focusing on real-world applications for additive manufacturing, the platform could set a new standard for how the maritime world approaches procurement and maintenance.
