Splash247: South Korea backs autonomous shipping push with AI data platform investment

Published by Splash247

South Korea is investing 30bn won ($20.7m) into a new artificial intelligence data platform for autonomous vessels as the country intensifies efforts to secure leadership in next-generation shipping technologies.

The four-year project, jointly led by the country’s industry and oceans ministries, will see the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering gather operational data covering autonomous vessel systems, navigation, engines, remote control and maritime transport.

The information will be used to create an AI-powered data platform designed to accelerate the development of autonomous ships and associated digital technologies.

South Korea has been aggressively pursuing autonomous vessel development as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of its shipbuilding and shipping sectors amid the industry’s transition towards decarbonisation and digitalisation.

“Autonomous vessels are at the center of the shipping and shipbuilding industries’ transition toward decarbonization and digitalization,” an oceans ministry official said.

An industry ministry official added: “The future competitiveness of autonomous vessels developed by the Korean shipbuilding industry will ultimately be determined by the quality of data.”

Officials said 25 shipbuilding, shipping and AI companies, alongside research institutes, have already submitted letters of intent to participate in the programme.