At the prestigious maritime event Posidonia 2024, significant strides were made towards enhancing ship safety as American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) inked a pivotal memorandum of understanding with key industry players HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd. (HHI), and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR). The primary focus of this collaboration is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to eradicate blind spots in ship safety protocols.
The MOU signifies a concerted effort to leverage cutting-edge technologies, particularly AI, to augment the situational awareness of seafarers, potentially paving the way for increased autonomy aboard vessels.
“Safety is at the heart of everything we do at ABS, and this project holds significant potential for advancing the cause of safety at sea. Enabling AI support for seafarers for high-fidelity, 360-degree visibility of an asset is potentially a game-changer,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO.
ABS will play a pivotal role in this partnership, providing crucial support in various aspects including design assessment, qualification of new technologies, approval in principle, and the development of rule guidance. These directives will serve to delineate technical requirements, safety standards, and regulatory compliance protocols.
Jang Gwang-pil, Vice President of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, said “This agreement is of great significance in that AI-based autonomous navigation solutions and institutional automation solutions, which have been developed by HD Hyundai, have taken a leap from the stage of being applied to ships in stages, and have been able to conduct research to improve the structure of ships using AI technology. We will take the lead in developing new types of ships while improving the safety of ships and sailors through advanced technology development.”
LISCR Chief Executive Officer Alfonso Castileo said “It is an honor to have the world’s best shipyard, the world’s best classification company, and the world’s best flag administration come together to begin the development of a new era and new ship. The Liberia Flag Authority will continue to develop digital and AI technologies. We will actively cooperate with HD Hyundai for this purpose.”
The convergence of expertise and resources from ABS, HD KSOE, HHI, and LISCR marks a pivotal moment in the maritime industry, heralding a concerted effort towards harnessing AI to enhance ship safety and drive innovation in vessel design and operation. This collaborative endeavor holds the promise of safer seas and a more efficient maritime ecosystem propelled by cutting-edge technology.
Revolutionizing Maritime Safety with AI
By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI), these industry leaders are determined to eliminate ship safety blind spots, ushering in a new era of enhanced situational awareness for seafarers. This pioneering endeavor not only underscores a collective commitment to maritime safety but also signals a significant leap forward in leveraging advanced technologies to safeguard vessels, crews, and the marine environment. As AI continues to evolve and permeate various sectors, its integration into maritime operations promises to not only mitigate risks but also pave the way for greater efficiency, autonomy, and sustainability at sea.
Source American Bureau of Shipping