Recently, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Marine Solution, Avikus under HD Hyundai Group, and Korean shipowner H-Line signed a quadrilateral strategic cooperation agreement. According to the agreement, the four parties will jointly develop AI-based autonomous and eco-friendly ship technologies to maximize the overall efficiency of vessel and fleet operations.
The background of this collaboration lies in the rapid expansion and application of AI technology across various aspects of ship navigation, including autonomous sailing, power system automation, route optimization, and cargo efficiency maximization.
Under the agreement, the three HD Hyundai subsidiaries will work with H-Line to develop AI solutions that minimize fuel consumption, enhance operational efficiency, and improve safety.
Among them, HD Hyundai Group will lead the integration and application of related technologies. Specifically, it will combine the autonomous navigation solution “HiNAS” from its subsidiary Avikus, the route optimization system “Ocean Wise” from HD Hyundai Marine Solution, and the AI cargo handling system “AI-CHS” developed by HD KSOE. Meanwhile, H-Line will provide LNG carriers for technology verification.
HD Hyundai Group and H-Line plan to develop AI solutions that minimize costs at every stage—from ship design, construction, and operation to maintenance—while proactively addressing the increasingly stringent environmental regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), aiming to seize future market opportunities.
Jang Kwang-pil, head of the Future Technology Research Institute at HD KSOE, stated, “This collaboration marks the starting point for breaking the boundaries between shipbuilding and shipping industries and driving AI-based digital innovation. It will serve as a significant milestone in leading the standards for eco-friendly future vessels.”
According to Allied Market Research, the global autonomous ship market is projected to reach 150 trillion KRW (approximately $130 billion) by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 4.4%. Meanwhile, Acute Market Reports predicts that the global autonomous ship and related marine equipment market will grow at an annual rate of 12.6%, reaching $155 billion by 2025 and $235.7 billion by 2028.
To advance autonomous navigation technology, HD Hyundai Group is participating in a national autonomous navigation project led by Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The Korean government has decided to link this initiative with its 2050 carbon neutrality policy, investing 160 billion KRW (approximately $139 million) over five years in autonomous ship technology development. It has also set a goal to capture 50% of the global autonomous ship market by 2030.
Avikus’ autonomous navigation solution “HiNAS” utilizes AI technology for ship image analysis, automatically identifying nearby vessels and accurately assessing collision risks. It then provides this information to navigators via augmented reality (AR). Particularly in low-visibility conditions such as nighttime or fog, it employs infrared cameras to analyze and provide data on obstacle positions and speeds.
The large-vessel autonomous navigation system “HiNAS Control,” developed by Avikus, is an AI-based system that integrates data from various navigation devices and sensors. By combining multi-source navigation data with AR technology, it can automatically control a ship’s direction and speed without crew intervention, while also offering collision avoidance assistance and route optimization. In December last year, Avikus signed a supply contract with H-Line for “HiNAS Control.” H-Line Shipping plans to initially introduce “HiNAS Control” on five large vessels and, after verifying its safety and efficiency, expand its application to up to 30 large vessels this year. Including this contract with H-Line, the number of vessels equipped with “HiNAS Control” will exceed 100. Beyond the supply agreement, Avikus and H-Line also plan to strengthen cooperation in areas such as technical support and data analysis.
To date, Avikus has received orders for over 170 units of “HiNAS 1.0” from domestic and international shipowners, along with more than 50 orders for its AI-based smart berthing assistance system “HiBAS.”
HD Hyundai Marine Solution’s route optimization system “Ocean Wise” is a “decarbonization and economic operation solution” that leverages big data and AI algorithms to measure and predict carbon emissions using only vessel position data, while providing optimal routes to minimize fuel consumption.
