Canada’s Ocean Supercluster has announced a new $18 million project that aims to create “digital twins” for use in ocean-related industries.

The organization charged with developing new technology and an enhanced workforce for Canadian ocean industries released a statement Friday unveiling the Digital Offshore Canada Project. It will be led by Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador, the organization that funds R&D for the province’s offshore oil and gas industry.

The project aims to develop digital twins, which are digital replicas of real-life people, processes or things that simulate the reactions and habits of actual entities. Using the Internet of Things, machine learning and analytics, digital twins can help users understand how actual people or things will react in certain circumstances.

“Digital twins are one of the most potent digital technologies to make operations safer, more productive and more efficient,” said Petroleum Research CEO Dave Finn in a statement. “We think the Digital Offshore Canada Project is going to be a major springboard for their development and use in our offshore.”

The other partners in the project are Mississauga, Ont.-based Hatch Ltd, the national accounting firm MNP, St. John’s-based Virtual Marine Technology, and NL-based GRI Simulations. Memorial University of Newfoundland will also contribute $1.4 million in services, including defining the scope of the project.

The Ocean Supercluster will provide up to $9 million in funding for the project, matched by $9 million in commitments from the industry partners.

The Supercluster said the project will create a platform for the development of digital twins for a range of applications in ocean industries. It will also build capabilities to support the increasing role of digital technologies in the ocean economy.

The project will accelerate the digitalization of Canada’s ocean industries by providing users operational data, and analytical tools, the Supercluster added.

Small and medium-sized businesses participating in the project will gain from faster product design and growth opportunities, and 30 new jobs will be created over the life of the project, said the statement.

“Digitalization and the use of digital twins are key enablers for driving operational efficiencies in the offshore sector—a crucial element that will help us achieve GHG emission reductions while improving the overall economic performance,” said Mark Cumby, Hatch’s Regional Director of Energy for Eastern Canada. “The Digital Offshore Canada Project will help to develop a world-class digitalization capability in the region and will support the broader ocean economy.”