HD Hyundai has integrated autonomous navigation and remote control technology on an 8,000 TEU container ship, marking a milestone toward the commercialization of Level 3 autonomous navigation.
The company received Approval in Principle (AIP) from the Korean Register (KR) and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) for its autonomous systems. The demonstration featured the HiNAS Control navigation solution developed by Avikus, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, and an in-house-developed remote control system.
Levels of IMO Ship Autonomous Navigation
- Level 1: The system supports the crew’s decision-making.
- Level 2: Remote control is possible with the crew onboard.
- Level 3: Remote control is possible without the crew onboard.
- Level 4: Fully autonomous navigation technology.
The trial showcased capabilities such as remote steering, speed control, and mechanisms to handle communication delays, unexpected events, and cyber threats.
It also included the first demonstration of seamless control transfer between multiple Remote Operation Centers (ROC), with successful transfers between centers in Ulsan and Seongnam. As explained, this capability ensures continuous remote operations during extended voyages.
The demonstration was conducted under conditional approval from Korea’s Regulatory Sandbox Project, which allowed for testing in compliance with local maritime laws.
The trial included maneuvers from the ROC and collision avoidance in congested areas. Representatives from KR and LISCR highlighted the importance of this phase in validating the safety and functionality of remote control and autonomous navigation systems.
An official of the Korean Register (KR) stated, “HD Hyundai’s remote control technology is essential for the commercialization of autonomous vessels, and its safety and reliability have been verified.” An official of LISCR also emphasized, “Through HiNAS Control and the remote control solution, we have confirmed the feasibility of remote control between ROCs, providing a valuable Experience Building Phase (EBP) for the realization of autonomous navigation.“
