Ship 3D Design System (MATES): What is MATES?

MATES (Mitsubishi Advanced Total Engineering system of Ships) is a dedicated 3D ship engineering system developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and has supported its shipbuilding for decades.

With over 30 years of operational use, it has been applied to the design and construction of a wide range of vessels, from VLCCs and LNG carriers to ferries and destroyers.

Backed by 150 years of shipbuilding expertise, MATES is trusted across the MHI Group and by approximately 30 shipyards and design and engineering companies in Japan.

From Basic Design to Production Design

MATES is a practical 3D system that covers the entire process from basic design through production design.

Efficiency tools, such as quality checks that incorporate design know‑how and re‑use of existing design data, help reduce design lead time and improve quality.

Production data outputs reflecting Japanese shipyard practices enable anyone to provide accurate shop‑ready outputs (e.g., NC cutting data and various production documents) to the workshop.

Comparison: Conventional Design vs. MATES 3D Design

Conventional Design (2D)

Arrangement & Piping (2D)

Layout and piping design in 2D CAD
Quality checks performed manually by designers
Quality depends on individual skill; comprehensive checking is difficult

Production Design (2D)

Manual pipe division and support design
Quality checks performed manually by designers
Quality depends on individual skill; comprehensive checking is difficult

Drawing Release

Issue various fabrication drawings
Issue 2D installation drawings

MATES‑Based 3D Design

Arrangement & Piping (3D)

3D layout and piping design
3D‑driven design quality checks
Zero physical inconsistencies

Production Design (3D)

3D pipe spooling and 3D support design
3D‑driven design quality checks
Zero physical inconsistencies

Drawing Release

Automatic generation of fabrication drawings
3D Viewer
Automatic generation of 2D installation drawings
2D installation drawings play a supplementary role to the viewer

Connecting Design and Construction Sites

With the dedicated MATES 3D viewers, HullViewer / FitViewer, MATES 3D models can be effectively utilized on construction sites.

Featuring fast, lightweight 3D rendering, intuitive operation, and functions tailored to shipbuilding construction sites, the viewers are easy to use even for personnel unfamiliar with computers and help reduce construction costs.

Best Solution for Your Needs

MATES continues to evolve in line with customer needs and advances in IT.
It is a comprehensive IT solution for shipyards and design and engineering offices, supported end‑to‑end by a development team with deep shipbuilding expertise, from installation to daily operation.