Samsung Heavy Industries Secures Technology to Analyze 'Underwater Noise'... Minimizing Environmental Impact

Sonar Signal Analysis Technique, First Applied to Merchant Ships
Accelerating Development of Underwater Noise Reduction Technology

Samsung Heavy Industries has secured technology to analyze underwater radiated noise of ships by analyzing underwater acoustic signals using sonar. Sonar signal analysis technology receives sound and measures noise intensity, direction, distance, and more. It has mainly been used for military purposes.

On the 11th, Samsung Heavy Industries announced that it successfully applied sonar signal analysis technology for the first time in the field of underwater radiated noise research for merchant ships, precisely analyzing the noise causes of a 174,000㎥ ultra-large LNG carrier.

By utilizing this technology, the causes of underwater radiated noise generated from ships under construction can be subdivided and their impacts analyzed, enabling further enhancement of expertise in related technology development such as noise prediction according to operating speed and draft. Draft refers to the vertical distance from the bottom of the ship to the water surface. It is an important factor in ensuring ship navigation safety and determining sailing depth.

Samsung Heavy Industries aims to advance noise reduction technology by expanding it not only to ship propellers but also to underwater radiated noise from engines and machinery.

Analysis image of the sonar signal analysis (Lofar-Demon) program
Photo by Samsung Heavy Industries

Underwater radiated noise from ships is generated by cavitation phenomena of propellers during navigation, as well as by the hull and machinery. It can directly affect marine ecosystems such as marine mammals and fish. Accordingly, active discussions on underwater radiated noise regulations are underway, centered on the International Maritime Organization, and the importance of developing noise reduction technology is gradually increasing.

Lee Dong-yeon, Head of the Shipbuilding and Offshore Research Institute at Samsung Heavy Industries (Executive Director), said, "Based on Samsung Heavy Industries’ R&D capabilities in underwater radiated noise, we will accelerate the development of innovative technologies that minimize marine environmental impact and proactively respond to the international community’s environmental regulatory movements."

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