(STERLING, Va.) — HD Hyundai has taken a significant step toward the commercialization of Degree 3 autonomous navigation by successfully demonstrating integrated autonomous navigation and remote control on a large commercial vessel.
Recently, HD Hyundai applied its cutting-edge autonomous navigation and remote-control technologies to an 8,000-TEU containership, conducting a series of integrated demonstrations. Following these achievements, the company secured approval in principle (AIP) from the Korean Register (KR) and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), as announced on Nov. 28.
This demonstration is part of HD Hyundai’s plan to commercialize a remote-control service that integrates HiNAS, an autonomous navigation solution developed by Avikus, with Pont.OS, a remote-control solution created in-house by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.
Pont.OS provides not only remote control of a ship’s rudder and speed but also addresses critical maritime challenges, including communication delays, unforeseen operational events, and cybersecurity threats that may arise during navigation.
A key achievement of this demonstration was the world-first application of transfer-of-control technology between multiple remote operation centers (ROCs) for large commercial vessels. This technology ensures the continuity of remote navigation over long distances by enabling seamless control handoffs between ROCs. During the demonstration, control was successfully transferred between the Integrated Digital Monitoring Center at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, and the Digital Convergence Center at the Global R&D Center (GRC) in Seongnam, South Korea.
The demonstration was conducted within the regulatory framework of Korea’s Advanced Industry Regulatory Sandbox Project, overseen by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. Conditional approval under this framework allowed HD Hyundai to conduct practical tests, such as remote maneuvering and collision avoidance in congested waters – testing solutions to challenges posed by the Seafarers Act, Port Act, and Maritime Traffic Safety Act.
A representative from the Korean Register commented, “HD Hyundai’s remote-control technology has proven critical for the commercialization of autonomous vessels, demonstrating both safety and reliability.” Similarly, the Liberian Registry highlighted, “The introduction of autonomous navigation and collision avoidance systems can significantly enhance safety at sea and protection of the marine environment.”
– Liberian Registry
