Bridging Design Domains in Digital Shipbuilding: Virtual Prototypes and Immersive Workflows for System Integration

The maritime industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by decarbonization goals, regulatory pressures, and the need for advanced energy integration. In this context, virtual prototyping emerges as a pivotal tool to manage the complexity of ship design and enable early-stage evaluation of design alternatives. This study presents a digital design methodology applied to a next-generation Aframax-class tanker featuring hybrid propulsion and biofuel systems. A high-fidelity 3D virtual prototype was developed using an integrated tool chain combining parametric hull modelling and detailed outfitting design within a collaborative digital environment. Real-time clash detection, multi-domain coordination, and data continuity supported accurate system layout, structural optimization, and mass distribution analysis. Furthermore, the prototype was explored through Virtual Reality, allowing immersive inspection, design validation, and pre-construction walkthroughs. This VR-enhanced model supports crew training, maintenance planning, and stakeholder engagement, adding tangible value beyond the design phase. The approach exemplifies the shift toward lifecycle-centric digital shipbuilding and highlights the strategic role of VP and VR technologies in accelerating sustainable innovation. The proposed framework demonstrates its applicability in both newbuild and retrofit scenarios, offering a replicable path to meet emerging technical and environmental challenges in naval architecture.