Rapid Fusion Joins £700k Maritime Design Overhaul

Rapid Fusion, a UK leader in robotic 3D printing, will deliver the manufacturing element of a £700,000 project to revolutionise vessel design.

The Exeter-based firm joins Compute Maritime, BYD Naval Architects, Siemens Digital Industries Software and the University of Southampton on the UK-funded Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

The consortium’s GenDSOM initiative combines generative AI, simulation, optimisation, and advanced manufacturing to cut design costs by 10%, accelerate cycles by 20% and boost efficiency 50%. Rapid Fusion’s Apollo system will 3D print hydrofoils for a crew transfer vessel, supporting decarbonisation targets and reshaping shipbuilding with scalable, production-ready solutions.