ABS and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate on digital technologies to strengthen safety and performance in shipbuilding.
The agreement establishes a framework for the organisations to collaborate on Digital Threads, which are secure and integrated flows of data across the vessel value chain.
The partnership will focus on digital engineering, autonomous vessel systems, and integrated cybersecurity tools. The two organisations will also explore the establishment of a 3D model-based approval process and trusted data exchange between the shipyard and the classification society.
The collaboration will examine the integration between the Software Defined Vessel (SDV) architecture from HD KSOE and ABS Wavesight, a digital platform for fleet performance and compliance monitoring.
“Digital technologies are reshaping shipbuilding, and this agreement reflects our shared commitment to lead at the cutting edge of the maritime industry, helping to improve safety and operational value now,” said John McDonald, ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
On the cybersecurity front, ABS and HD KSOE will jointly develop integrated cybersecurity and data safety guidelines for autonomous vessel environments. This work will build on and extend beyond current International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) requirements to address the evolving threat landscape facing next-generation fleets.
“Through collaboration with ABS, we expect to lead the development of digital engineering standards spanning the entire vessel lifecycle and to accelerate market entry by securing global class certifications,” said Chung Ki-Sun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HD Hyundai.
In related news, ABS has also agreed another separate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries to explore autonomous maritime capabilities.
The agreement establishes a framework for the organisations to enable end-to-end systems encompassing vessel design, production, autonomy, and classification for Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASV).
“Autonomy is set to play a defining role in the future of the maritime industry, and this collaboration reflects the importance of bringing together complementary capabilities to help advance that progress,” said Paul Karam, ABS Executive Vice President, Operations.
“By combining HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding strengths, Anduril’s leadership in autonomous systems and AI, and ABS’ deep experience in classification and technical advisory services, we are exploring how to support the safe, practical and scalable adoption of autonomous surface vessels.”
