HSHI - Experts & Thought Leaders

KR (Korean Register) has officially launched a joint working group to establish international standards for the safe discharge of toxic ammonia effluent generated from ammonia-fueled ships. The initiative brings together Korean major shipbuilders—HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), and Hanwha Ocean—as well as the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), a national certification body.  Zero-carbon alternative fuel Ammonia is gaining global attention as a promising zero-carbon alternative fuel Ammonia is gaining global attention as a promising zero-carbon alternative fuel. However, due to its high toxicity and potential risks to the marine environment, specific international safety standards for its use are urgently needed. In particular, there are currently no established guidelines for managing the ammonia effluent generated from wet treatment systems on ammonia-fueled vessels, creating significant technical and operational uncertainty in ship design and operation.  Ammonia effluent from ships The joint working group aims to develop international standards for the storage, treatment, and discharge of ammonia effluent from ships and formally propose them to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the Korean government.  This initiative follows a 2024 proposal to the IMO by KR, in cooperation with the Korean government, which first raised the need to develop guidelines for the management of ammonia effluent from ammonia-fueled ships. Draft guidelines to the IMO in 2026 The joint working group plans to submit draft guidelines to the IMO in 2026 The proposal was officially approved at the 83rd session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in April 2025. The joint working group plans to submit draft guidelines to the IMO in 2026 and spearhead international discussions on the matter.  Kim Taesung, Director General at KTR, stated, “We will provide highly reliable scientific data to support the development of standards for ammonia effluent management, and actively cooperate to enhance the global competitiveness of Korea’s shipbuilding and shipping industries.”  International standards for ammonia-fueled vessels Park Sangmin, Senior Vice President of HD KSOE Green Energy Research Lab, remarked, “The working group will serve as a catalyst to advance international standards for ammonia-fueled vessels. HD Hyundai will leverage its experience in building the world’s first ammonia-fueled ship to continue leading the global market.”  Lee Hoki, Director of Samsung Heavy Industries, commented, “This initiative will lay the foundation for the full-scale commercialisation of ammonia fuel. SHI will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to reinforce Korea’s status as a pioneering shipbuilding nation.”  Development of international safety standards Choi Younghwan, Team Pioneer of Hanwha Ocean, said, “Establishing ammonia effluent standards in a timely manner will bolster Korea’s leadership in the shipbuilding and maritime sectors. Hanwha Ocean is committed to proactive technology development and regulatory preparedness.”  Kim Kyungbok, Executive Vice President of KR, concluded, “This joint working group is a pivotal milestone of the maritime and shipbuilding industries joining forces to lead the development of international safety standards based on advanced technological capabilities. KR will continue to support the development and international standardisation of safety regulations for alternative fuels in close cooperation with the Korean government.”

ABS and HD Hyundai Samho signed a memorandum of understanding for the technical collaboration for an artificial intelligence (AI)-based smart shipyard. The agreement establishes a cooperative framework for both organisations to leverage smart technologies, such as AI, automation and robotics to identify opportunities for process improvement at HD Hyundai Samho shipyard. ABS will utilise its established Guide for Smart Technologies for Shipyards in the review process. Transforming shipyard operations “Advanced technologies are transforming shipyard operations and opening new avenues for progress. Intelligent systems show promise for elevating health, safety and quality standards, driving efficiency and innovation in contemporary shipbuilding,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO. He adds, “We welcome this opportunity to work with HD Hyundai Samho to explore new applications of smart technologies to optimise shipyard operations.” Digital transformation crossroad “HD Hyundai Samho is standing at the centre of the digital transformation crossroad. We should move forward from shipbuilding automation and digitalisation to AI and data-driven decision-making for survival,” said Hwan-Gyu Kim, HSHI Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Hwan-Gyu Kim adds, “This AI-based digital transformation will not be achieved without appropriate collaborations. HD Hyundai Samho and ABS are working together to identify the right technologies and strategies to enhance the future of shipbuilding.” ABS is guiding the industry with pioneering research and insights to support technology advancement in the marine and offshore industries.

KR (Korean Register) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HD Hyundai Samho on June 11 to jointly develop AI-based solutions for innovation in ship design and analysis. This partnership is a part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at enhancing design productivity and strengthening the capabilities of ship design engineers in the rapidly evolving shipbuilding landscape. The collaboration focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to build a more efficient and accurate ship design system. Two core objectives The joint research initiative will focus on two core objectives: First, the development of an AI-powered optimisation and structural assessment solution for hull support arrangement. Traditionally, determining the placement of these supports requires complex and repetitive computational analysis. Through this collaboration, the process will be automated using AI, enabling optimal arrangement of supports and providing a user-friendly interface that shows real-time simulation results under various input conditions. Second, the development of an on-premise design verification system powered by generative AI. This system will be based on a large language model (LLM) and will operate securely within the company’s internal network, in compliance with shipyard security requirements. By organising accumulated shipbuilding knowledge and streamlining work processes across multiple departments, the system is expected to enhance both technical expertise and operational efficiency throughout the shipyard. Application of AI in ship design KR and HD Hyundai Samho view this task as a starting point for the wider application of AI in design KR and HD Hyundai Samho view this project as a starting point for the broader application of AI in ship design, and aim to expand the use of the core technologies developed to other areas of shipbuilding operations. Shim Hak-mu, Executive Vice President of HD Hyundai Samho, stated, "This collaboration marks a pivotal step toward significantly advancing design efficiency and accuracy at shipyards through AI-driven automation." Shim Hak-mu adds, "In particular, optimising the arrangement of hull supports with AI and introducing a secure in-house design system will ease the workload for design engineers while enabling more consistent and precise outcomes — ultimately enhancing overall productivity and quality." Range of AI-powered services Kim Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR, commented, "This joint development project represents a significant turning point in modernising the ship design and analysis process using advanced AI technologies." Kim Daeheon adds, "KR remains committed to developing a wide range of AI-powered services not only in classification work, but also across the broader shipbuilding and maritime sectors."