The Korean Register (KR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with KLCSM and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) to research and approve the application of autonomous navigation systems for medium to large vessels.

The agreement will accelerate the commercialisation and international competitiveness of domestic autonomous ship equipment and technology, establishing a truly autonomous ship-based operating system.

According to the MOU, SHI’s autonomous navigation system, known as Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS), will be applied to KLCSM’s fleet of operational vessels.

“KR will provide technical support for this project in order to further the development and operation autonomous navigation systems,” said YEON Kyujin, Head of Plan Approval Center at KR.

Through the system, it will be possible to carry out risk assessments, develop and certify cyber security systems and review the compliance of various agreements and standards for future domestic approval.

“With this latest joint cooperation, more autonomous navigation systems will be successfully applied to ships, which will further increase the efficiency of ship management,” said KWON Ohgil, Managing Director of KLCSM, adding, “We also expect to improve vessel safety and improve the environment of ship operations amid a current shortage of sailors.”

Moreover, SHI will carry out a comprehensive collaboration for the commercialisation of autonomous navigation systems through the certification of ship equipment and the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) for Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) modules.

KIM Hyunjo, Director of the Marine Shipbuilding Research Center of SHI, said that “SHI is focusing its capabilities on the research and development for the commercialization of autonomous navigation technologies for ocean and coastal navigation, including conducting practical ship operations based on the maritime demonstration of our own SAS autonomous navigation system.”

Source: Container News