Postgraduate Students from University of Vigo Visit Navantia to Deepen Their Understanding of Supply Chain Innovation

Postgraduate students from the Master’s in Supply Chain Management and Innovation at the School of Industrial Engineering, University of Vigo, visited the Ferrol shipyard as part of the module “Industry 4.0: Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks”. This subject includes a section dedicated to digital transformation in shipyards, delivered by Miguel Vilar Montesinos, Head of Architecture and Technological Innovation at Navantia. The syllabus features a visit to the facilities.
During the tour, the students were accompanied by Rafael Morgade, Head of Digital and Industrial Transformation. The visit focused on aspects most relevant to their training, specifically supply chain management and innovation to enhance companies’ competitive advantage. After an introduction in the main building, the group—made up of about thirty people—moved to the Integrated Control Centre, which oversees all operations in the plant and boasts an award-winning digital twin. There, David Roca, Head of Maintenance, explained the plant’s operations. The group also learnt about the frigate manufacturing process, visiting workshops and concluding with a brief tour of the slipway and the Digital Block Factory.
At the Training Building, participants attended a talk by Miguel Vilar about Navantia and its products, as well as the company’s digital transformation. He also delved into topics related to Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), with special attention to drones (UxVs), additive manufacturing (3D printing), the Integrated Service System (SSI), and Extended Realities. He showcased projects, pilot schemes, and prototypes on which Navantia is working for implementation in its vessels and facilities.