CEAD, a leader in large-scale 3D printing technology, has unveiled the Maritime Application Centre (MAC) in Delft, the Netherlands.
This initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of automated and sustainable production methods within the maritime sector, offering a new approach to boatbuilding and component manufacturing.
The MAC occupies a 2,300 square metres facility near CEAD’s headquarters and is designed as a high-output, digitally driven production site. The centre serves two primary purposes: providing production capacity for shipbuilders not yet ready to implement large-scale 3D printing in-house, and fostering the development and adoption of 3D printing technology through collaboration with industry partners.
CEAD is currently scaling production to manufacture at least 100 boats annually, aiming to showcase the technical and economic viability of this model.
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Traditional shipbuilding depends on skilled labour, extensive infrastructure, and segmented workflows, reports CEAD. However, the industry faces challenges such as workforce shortages, ageing infrastructure, and increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets.
Large-scale 3D printing offers solutions to these issues by enabling direct production from digital files, reducing manual labour, cutting costs, and shortening lead times. CEAD’s dedicated extrusion-based 3D printing system reportedly allows for the automated manufacture of boat hulls, supporting a cleaner, quieter, and more flexible production environment than traditional shipyards.
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The MAC operates on a collaborative model, working with partners to advance 3D printing applications for maritime use. This includes material development, process optimisation, and software innovation.
The centre’s current focus is on printing industrial boat hulls up to 12 metres for applications such as patrol, fishing, and supply boats, as well as unmanned surface vessels.
The MAC is intended as a blueprint for future ‘microfactories’—compact, automated production sites that can be replicated globally. By supporting local, on-demand manufacturing with reduced waste, the initiative aligns with broader industry goals for sustainability and resilience.
The MAC officially opens on 20 June, inviting maritime professionals to explore the future of boatbuilding and collaborative innovation.
