ABS, HD Hyundai to work together on autonomous navigation

ABS and HD Hyundai, formerly known as Hyundai Heavy Industries, have penned a comprehensive memorandum of understanding to continue working together on autonomous navigation technologies for shipping.

The scope of the deal builds on the previous strategic framework agreement that the companies signed in 2022 under which ABS worked with HD Hyundai subsidiaries, Avikus and Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (KSOE). There were several major achievements including the demonstration of technology developed by Avikus, enabling the 180,000cu m LNG carrier, Prism Courage, to sail in autonomous mode, under direct supervision, for roughly half of its voyage across the Pacific Ocean.

The new agreement covers four areas: autonomous machinery health management function; autonomous safety management function; autonomous LNG fuel gas supply system; and smart LNG boil-off gas management system – all based on artificial intelligence.

The two companies are coordinating joint development projects to begin in the first quarter of 2023.