Digital transformation as an approach to a warehouse 4.0

Shipbuilding and ship repair projects require a complex variety of materials, including raw materials, supplies, consumables, equipment, and spare parts. These materials demand a robust process for effective materials management. Shipyards, especially those that combine shipbuilding and ship repair business units, face the challenge of variability in terms of the number of projects, which intensifies the demand and variety of items required. The materials management process includes sub-processes such as material requirements planning, receiving and shipping operations, inventory control, supplier-managed inventory, and the promotion of turnover. Consequently, the challenge for warehouse managers is to coordinate and streamline these activities to help maintain high levels of productivity in shipbuilding and ship repair projects. The purpose of this article is to analyze how disruptive technologies within the framework of Industry 4.0 can help warehouse managers address current and future challenges, particularly those arising from the diverse and dynamic nature of projects within an engineer-to-order system oriented toward project-based production. This includes exploring best practices, identifying opportunities for improvement, and formulating an implementation plan that incorporates both procedural and technological advancements.