▶ Successful integrated demonstration of autonomous navigation and remote control for an 8,000-TEU large container ship
▶ World's first technology to enable control handover between remote operation centers, ensuring continuous long-distance operations
▶ "We will lead the future of the shipping industry by taking the lead in the international standardization of autonomous navigation technology"

HD Hyundai successfully completed the integrated demonstration of autonomous navigation and remote control for large vessels, accelerating the commercialization of Level 3 autonomous navigation.

HD Hyundai announced on the 28th that it has successfully conducted an integrated demonstration of autonomous navigation and remote control technology on an 8,000 TEU container ship. The company has also secured Approval in Principle (AIP) from both the Korean Register (KR) and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR).

Through this demonstration, HD Hyundai plans to commercialize an integrated remote control service with Avikus, a subsidiary specializing in autonomous navigation, and its HiNAS Control autonomous navigation solution, along with the remote control solution developed in-house by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.

The remote control solution not only enables remote steering and speed control but is also designed to address the unique challenges of the vessel’s operating environment. It is equipped to handle communication delays, unexpected situations, and cyber threats that may arise during navigation. 

In particular, HD Hyundai showcased the world’s first technology for switching control between multiple Remote Operation Centers (ROC) on large vessels during this demonstration. This technology allows for the seamless transfer of control from one ROC to another during long-distance voyages, ensuring the continuity of remote operations.

In this demonstration, control was successfully transferred between the Digital Control Center (HiDCC) located at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan and the Digital Convergence Center (DCC) at HD Hyundai's Global R&D Center (GRC) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

Meanwhile, autonomous vessels face challenging regulations, such as the Seafarers Act, Harbor Act, and Sea Traffic Safety Act, which make demonstrations difficult. However, HD Hyundai was able to successfully complete the demonstration, including maneuvers from the ROC and collision avoidance in congested areas, after receiving conditional approval through the Regulatory Sandbox Project for Advanced Industries, organized by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF).

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."

"This certification has laid a crucial foundation for the commercialization of autonomous navigation and remote control technology," said an official of HD Hyundai stated. "We will continue to proactively respond to global institutions and regulations, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and take the lead in the international standardization of autonomous navigation technology."

■ 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 crew onboard.
- Level 4: Fully autonomous navigation technology.