HUNTSVILLE, Ala., July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading Japanese shipbuilder Kitanihon Shipbuilding (Kitanihon) has selected breakthrough 3D design solution Intergraph Smart™ 3D to deliver all new projects from its shipyard in Hachinohe City.

Kitanihon is responsible for the construction of high-specification medium-sized ships, tankers and carriers exceeding 30,000 tons deadweight for a range of local and international clients. Given that projects of this size and complexity require market-leading design and engineering solutions to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency, Kitanihon recently undertook the search for a new 3D design solution.

After an extensive evaluation exercise that took into consideration a number of competitive products, Kitanihon selected Smart 3D – the world's most advanced offshore and shipbuilding design solution. It will be used for hull and outfitting design on all new projects.

"In undertaking a search for a new 3D design solution, our two key requirements were advanced automation features and seamless collaboration between our design and fabrication departments," said Takeshi Toyokawa, general manager of the Design Department at Kitanihon. "Smart 3D was the clear market leader for both requirements."

Gerhard Sallinger, Intergraph Process, Power & Marine president, said, "Kitanihon Shipbuilding has a long and proud history in Japan, so we are honored that they have selected Intergraph to work with them as they continue to deliver large and complex projects for clients."

Smart 3D is breakthrough engineering technology that is knowledge-based and rule-driven, streamlining marine asset design processes and improving delivery schedules, with increased detail and manufacturing design productivity of up to 30 percent. It is endorsed and used by leading offshore and marine companies globally, including the most productive shipyard, the top offshore owner operator, the top fabrication yard and the top classification society in the world. Smart 3D provides companies with the capabilities they need to gain and maintain an edge in a highly competitive industry.

Intergraph Technical User Forum (TUF) LinkedIn groups provide an online discussion forum for year-round networking between users. To learn more about Smart 3D and network with other Intergraph users, visit www.intergraph.com/go/tuf.

The ARC Advisory Group, a leading industry analyst firm, ranked Intergraph as the No. 1 overall worldwide provider of engineering solutions for plant design (process, power and marine), according to its "Engineering Design Tools for Plants and Infrastructure Worldwide Outlook Market Analysis and Forecast Through 2018."

About Kitanihon Shipbuilding 
Kitanihon Shipbuilding is a leading shipbuilder with headquarters in northern Japan. It builds high-specification vessels for a range of domestic and international clients, including oil and chemical tankers, refrigerated cargo carriers, liquefied gas carriers, roll-on roll-off cargo ships, car carriers and multi-purpose ships. For more information, visit www.kitanihonship.com.      

About Intergraph
Intergraph helps the world work smarter. The company's software and solutions improve the lives of millions of people through better facilities, safer communities and more reliable operations.

Intergraph Process, Power & Marine (PP&M) is the world's leading provider of enterprise engineering software enabling smarter design and operation of plants, ships and offshore facilities. Intergraph Security, Government & Infrastructure (SG&I) is the leader in smart solutions for emergency response, utilities, transportation and other global challenges. For more information, visit www.intergraph.com.

Intergraph is part of Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B; hexagon.com), a leading global provider of information technologies that drive quality and productivity improvements across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications.

© 2015 Intergraph Corporation. All rights reserved. Intergraph is part of Hexagon. Intergraph and the Intergraph logo are registered trademarks of Intergraph Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Intergraph