BUSAN, KOREA | November 11, 2025 – Global digital solutions provider OneOcean, owned by Lloyd’s Register, and shipbuilding giant Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on cutting-edge digital and data solution technologies. The partnership is set to drive significant advancements in vessel lifespan performance modeling and enhance voyage optimisation services, with a direct and positive correlation to better fuel management and bunker efficiency across SHI-built vessels.
The signing ceremony took place at the prestigious KORMARINE, the international maritime and energy exhibition in Busan, Korea, on October 22nd.
Collaboration Focus: Data, AI, and Fuel Efficiency
The core objective of this strategic alliance is to establish a framework for intensive data sharing and machine learning/AI innovation between the two companies. For the bunkering sector, the most critical outcome will be the ability to conduct lifespan performance modelling and deliver enhanced voyage optimisation services, particularly through the integration of sophisticated boil-off gas models for SHI-built LNG carriers.
This collaboration represents a significant step towards the future of eco-friendly and autonomous shipping, where data-driven insights are paramount for reducing fuel consumption and operational costs.
- Lifespan Performance Modeling: By integrating OneOcean’s vast experience in vessel performance analysis with SHI’s shipbuilding data, the accuracy and sophistication of existing vessel models will be dramatically enhanced. This allows for superior forecasting of vessel degradation and performance over its lifetime, enabling proactive maintenance and operational adjustments.
- Voyage Optimisation: Enhanced voyage optimisation, supported by accurate machine-learning models, is a direct lever for fuel savings. By factoring in real-time vessel performance, weather, currents, and now, specific boil-off gas models for LNG vessels, ships can be routed and operated at optimal speeds and trims. Industry studies have repeatedly shown that effective voyage optimisation can lead to fuel savings and associated emissions reductions of between 5% and 8% or more.
- Future Design Improvements: The flow of real-world operational data back to SHI will provide exceptional insight, allowing the shipbuilder to drive future design improvements that are inherently safer, more sustainable, and offer superior operational efficiency—all of which feed back into lower fuel consumption profiles for new vessels.
Vision for a Smarter Future
The MOU signing was attended by key representatives from both organisations, including Mr. Haeki Jang, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of SHI, and Mr. Takashi Nakagawa, Managing Director Japan, and Ms. Anna Ruszczynska, Regional Sales Director APAC, from OneOcean.
Mr. Haeki Jang, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer of Samsung Heavy Industries, commented on the partnership: “Through this partnership with OneOcean, a leading provider of digital services for ships, Samsung Heavy Industries aims to provide digital solutions that offer tangible value to our customers and lead the way into the era of eco-friendly autonomous vessel.”
Andy McKeran, Managing Director, OneOcean, highlighted the alignment with the company’s core mission: “This MOU is completely aligned with OneOcean’s core mission to advance people, planet and performance using data, AI and a smarter approach to digital workflows. Our digital operating systems, voyage performance and vessel optimisation expertise will provide exceptional insight for SHI’s industry-leading designs, delivering improved safety, greater sustainability and superior vessel operations.”
This strategic MOU leverages SHI’s long-standing relationship with Lloyd’s Register (OneOcean’s owner) and solidifies OneOcean’s position as a leader in data-driven vessel performance and optimisation. The combined expertise will accelerate the maritime industry’s pivot toward digital solutions that not only ensure regulatory compliance with measures like IMO’s CII but also directly impact the bottom line through reduced bunker costs.
About Samsung Heavy Industries
Since its establishment in 1974, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has cemented its position as a global leader in the shipbuilding and offshore engineering sectors. With a strategic focus on pioneering innovation and maintaining technical excellence, SHI has delivered some of the world’s most advanced and complex marine and offshore structures.
As of December 31, 2020, SHI has secured orders for 1,285 ships and offshore facilities, with 1,179 units successfully delivered. These figures reflect not only the scale of the company’s operations but also its proven track record in fulfilling demanding, high-specification projects for global clients.
About OneOcean: The Ocean’s Digital Ecosystem
OneOcean is the trusted partner for maritime businesses worldwide, operating as the ocean’s digital ecosystem. The company focuses on bringing together people, data, and workflows across every vessel and voyage to remove fragmented, one-size-fits-all systems. This unified approach provides clarity and control to maritime leaders, enabling them to build momentum and power sustainable growth.
Proudly owned by Lloyd’s Register, OneOcean draws on over 260 years of maritime experience to deliver a powerful digital ecosystem for advancing three key pillars: People, Performance, and the Planet. Their digital solutions span voyage planning, compliance, training, and crucially, Voyage Performance & Optimisation. It is this expertise in turning complex operational data into actionable insights—such as optimizing speed and route to minimize fuel use and emissions—that makes their collaboration with a major shipbuilder like SHI so significant for the future of efficient and sustainable global shipping.
Source: OneOcean