Samsung Heavy, First Success in Autonomous Navigation Collision Avoidance Demonstration over 950km from Mokpo to Dokdo

First Approval of Safety Regulations for Autonomous Navigation System Ship Demonstration

Interior view of the bridge of the Sewolho, autonomously navigating toward Dokdo. Photo by Samsung Heavy Industries

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyun] Samsung Heavy Industries announced on the 24th that it has succeeded in autonomous navigation maritime demonstration along the domestic island coasts connecting the West Sea, South Sea, and East Sea for the first time in the industry.

From the 15th for four days, Samsung Heavy Industries conducted a demonstration of autonomous navigation over approximately 950 km using the 9,200-ton large training ship Segyero, operated by Mokpo National Maritime University, starting from the West Sea off Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, passing through Ieodo in the South Sea and Jeju Island, and reaching Dokdo in the East Sea.

The Segyero, equipped with Samsung Heavy Industries' remote autonomous navigation system 'SAS (Samsung Autonomous Ship),' successfully avoided 29 collision risk situations encountered with other vessels during autonomous navigation.

SAS is Samsung Heavy Industries' remote autonomous navigation solution that integrates the latest ICT technologies, including ▲situation awareness through fusion of radar, AIS (Automatic Identification System), and camera images ▲automatic control of engine and rudder for collision avoidance ▲360° around view monitoring the surroundings without blind spots day and night.

In particular, when passing near Ieodo, where maritime operations are active, SAS demonstrated its excellent performance by recognizing in real time complex collision situations with multiple fishing vessels simultaneously approaching from the bow (front) and starboard side of the Segyero, and providing accurate and safe avoidance routes every 5 seconds.

Samsung Heavy Industries explained that this maritime demonstration served as a test to verify the performance and stability of SAS in complex collision risk situations characteristic of Korea’s marine environment, surrounded by sea on three sides and dotted with many islands, providing an opportunity to upgrade autonomous navigation technology to a higher level.

Meanwhile, Samsung Heavy Industries became the first in the industry to receive approval from the flag state, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, for the 'Special Case under the Ship Safety Act for Ship Demonstration of the Autonomous Navigation System (SAS)'.

The flag state refers to the country where the ship is registered, and the country has the responsibility and authority to establish maritime institutions that enforce various international safety regulations and the obligation to control registered ships to prevent them from becoming substandard in safety.

Currently, there are no safety regulations allowing autonomous ships to be tested in actual maritime navigation, but Samsung Heavy Industries, together with Mokpo National Maritime University and the Korean Register, established safety operation guidelines including ▲risk assessment across autonomous navigation ship operations ▲identification of risk factors ▲risk management measures, which were reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, marking the first case to establish a legal basis for autonomous navigation demonstration.

Kim Hyunjo, Executive Director and Head of Ship & Ocean Research Center at Samsung Heavy Industries, said, "This successful demonstration is a meaningful achievement confirming the performance and navigation stability of SAS in actual complex maritime situations similar to urban roads," adding, "As a first mover in ship autonomous navigation technology, Samsung Heavy Industries will fulfill its role and responsibility in technological innovation as well as in establishing safety laws and systems."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.