ABS and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on digital technologies to strengthen safety and performance in shipbuilding.
The agreement establishes a framework for the organizations to collaborate on the management of secure, integrated digital data flows throughout the entire vessel value chain. Priority areas will include digital engineering, autonomous vessel systems, and integrated cybersecurity tools.
“This memorandum of understanding represents another milestone in the long-standing collaboration between ABS and HD Hyundai. Digital technologies are transforming shipbuilding, and this agreement reflects our shared commitment to leading the forefront of the maritime industry, contributing to improving safety and operational value from now on,” stated John McDonald, President and CEO of ABS.
“Through collaboration with ABS, we look forward to leading the development of digital engineering standards that encompass the entire lifecycle of vessels and accelerating market entry by obtaining global class certifications,” noted Ki-sun Chung, President and CEO of HD Hyundai.
Both organizations will also study the possibility of establishing an approval system based on 3D models and reliable data exchange between the shipyard and the classification society.
This collaboration will allow for a more detailed examination of the integration between HD KSOE’s software-defined vessel architecture and ABS Wavesight, the company’s digital platform for fleet performance monitoring and compliance.
In the area of cybersecurity, ABS and HD KSOE will jointly develop integrated cybersecurity and data security guidelines for autonomous vessel environments, building on current IACS requirements and expanding them to address the constantly evolving threat landscape facing next-generation fleets.
With ABS’s comprehensive classification services, customers gain a broad view of their vessels and a reliable, flexible roadmap to support decision-making regarding vessel and fleet efficiency.
