Government Launches Autonomous Ship AI Data Platform: "Securing Data Competitiveness for K-Shipbuilding"

Investing 34.66 Billion Won to Collect and Standardize Real Operational Data
25 Shipbuilding, Shipping, and AI Companies Sign Letters of Intent to Cooperate in Data Sharing
Building Core AI Training Foundations for Collision Avoidance, Route Optimization, and Failure Prediction

The government has officially launched the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) data platform to secure core competencies for autonomous ships. With significant participation from the shipbuilding, shipping, and AI industries, a system for the joint collection and utilization of real operational data is being established, laying the groundwork for Korea to gain a foothold in the global autonomous ship market.

On May 7, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries held a launch ceremony for the "Autonomous Ship AI Data Platform Project" at the LW Convention Center in Seoul. The core of this project is to systematically collect and standardize real operational data essential for autonomous ship operations, thereby building a foundation for AI learning.

Autonomous ships are next-generation vessels that utilize AI to learn from data collected by sensors, navigation equipment, and engine facilities, enabling the system to make operational decisions such as collision avoidance, route optimization, and failure prediction. Acquiring high-quality data accumulated in real maritime environments is regarded as a key factor for technological competitiveness.

This project will be carried out over four years from 2026 to 2029, with a total budget of 34.66 billion won. It will be funded by 30 billion won in government funds and 4.66 billion won in private investment, and the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, will be responsible for project execution. The main components of the project include: ▲ collection of training data ▲ construction of the data platform ▲ development and utilization of AI models.

Since December last year, the government has been jointly operating the autonomous ship division of the "M.AX Alliance," gathering opinions from the shipbuilding, shipping, and IT sectors. The event held on May 7 was attended by about 60 representatives from shipbuilders, shipping companies, equipment manufacturers, AI firms, and research institutes. A total of 25 companies and organizations signed letters of intent to participate by sharing data, designating vessels for data collection, and providing equipment for data acquisition.

The executing agency, the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO), plans to collect around 100 types of data focusing on eight key areas: ▲ autonomous operation systems ▲ navigation and steering ▲ engine and machinery ▲ remote control and digital twin ▲ communications and data ▲ maritime traffic ▲ meteorology ▲ safety and security.

The government intends to build the collected data into an open, high-quality dataset that can be utilized not only by large shipbuilders but also by small and medium-sized shipyards. In addition, in connection with the "AI Fully Autonomous Ship Technology Development Project," which is scheduled to begin this year with a budget of up to 600 billion won, the government plans to expand demonstration projects, promote commercialization, and reflect the results in international standards.

Furthermore, within the first half of the year, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will jointly announce the "First Basic Plan for the Promotion of Autonomous Ship Development and Commercialization." This plan will include strategies for technology development, demonstration and industry expansion, infrastructure building, workforce training, and leadership in setting international standards.

Park Dongil, policy chief at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "The competitiveness of autonomous ships created by Korea's shipbuilding industry will ultimately be determined by the quality of data," adding, "We will actively encourage companies to share and combine their data to create the world’s best data bank."

Kim Hyejeong, Director General for Shipping and Logistics at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, emphasized, "Autonomous ships are at the center of industrial changes such as decarbonization and digitalization. The operational data accumulated through this project will become one of the most important tools for responding to international standards."

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