Samsung Heavy Industries Co., one of the three biggest shipbuilders in South Korea, signed a joint development agreement with Kongsberg Maritime, a global marine solution provider in Norway, to develop autonomous vessels.
Samsung Heavy aims to optimize the latest remote autonomous navigation technology and low-carbon technology to develop a 174,000-cubic-meter next-generation liquefied natural gas carrier with improved safety and energy efficiency, the South Korean shipbuilder said Monday. Kongsberg Maritime is recognized as a leading company in the development of automation, navigation systems and digital solutions for ships.
“We will focus on technology development to ensure that autonomous ships become the optimal solution for shipping companies to reduce operating costs and operational risks,” said Jang Hae-ki, head of technology development at Samsung Heavy.
Last year, Samsung Heavy successfully conducted a trial operation of a 9.000-ton autonomous ship from Mokpo to Dokdo and developed a cybersecurity solution for autonomous vessels using blockchain technology.