Advancing Standardization of Autonomous Ship Navigation Technology... Hyundai Heavy Industries and ABS Agreement

MOU Signed in Las Vegas, USA

In Las Vegas, USA, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group's Avikus and the American Bureau of Shipping signed a memorandum of understanding to promote basic certification and demonstration testing. From the left in the photo: Joo Won-ho, Head of Technology Division at Hyundai Heavy Industries; Jung Ki-sun, CEO of Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings; Kim Sung-jun, Director of Future Technology Research Institute at Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering; Patrick Ryan, CTO; John MacDonald, COO; Lim Do-hyung, CEO of Avikus. Photo by XXX

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Avikus, a ship autonomous navigation specialist company under Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) announced on the 9th that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote step-by-step basic certification (AIP) and demonstration tests for ship autonomous navigation technology. This is expected to accelerate the development of technical standards for autonomous ships.

According to this agreement, Avikus will conduct step-by-step demonstrations in accordance with the new autonomous navigation regulations established by ABS in July last year, using various solutions it has developed, including autonomous navigation, autonomous docking, and fully autonomous navigation. ABS is one of the leading international classification societies that sets technical suitability and standards for advanced marine technologies and offshore structures.

Through demonstrations and other processes, Avikus can receive step-by-step certification for its proprietary autonomous navigation technology. ABS will establish step-by-step demonstration procedure regulations based on Avikus's actual navigation data. Both companies foresee that this cooperation will contribute to the standardization of autonomous ship technology promoted at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) level. Furthermore, they agreed to jointly conduct a demonstration of autonomous navigation technology for operational ships on the ocean, targeted for the first quarter of this year.

Im Do-hyung, CEO of Avikus, said, "Through this agreement, we can contribute to technology demonstration and standardization by obtaining step-by-step certification for the technologies we possess. We will expand the ship autonomous navigation market and secure a leading position in related markets through continuous technological advancement." John McDonald, Vice President of ABS, said, "Autonomous navigation technology will play an important role in the future marine transportation sector, and the importance of safety has also increased."

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