The partnership will work together on smart and autonomous ship technologies. Credit: Korean Register.

Classification society Korean Register (KR) has reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) to develop smart and autonomous ship technology.

The companies will set up a joint council to focus on the technology developments as well as conduct research on digitalisation.

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The developments will include a smart ship service to enhance the safety and efficiency of ship navigation along and digital data exchange technology.

KR and DSME will also focus on the development and verification/certification of autonomous navigation technology.

Furthermore, the companies will develop crew training contents and digital technology for smart yard implementation, including smart sea trial operations.

Last month, KR opened its Integrated Survey Centre (KR-ISC), a service based on big data and with ‘digital and eco-friendly’ as future keywords.

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Using its own smart ship platform, called DS4, DSME will focus on the development of smart ship and autonomous operation technologies.

The firm intends to expedite the deployment of smart yards by using its digital production centre located in the Okpo Shipyard.

KR Chairman and CEO Lee Hyungchul said: “To improve the safety and efficiency of ships in a rapidly changing digital environment, we will jointly develop smart services using technologies of the fourth industrial revolution, sharing data between shipyards and classification societies in real-time.

“Through our cooperation and the convergence of technologies, we will improve the productivity and efficiency of business processes while actively responding to environmental regulations.”

Last month, Singapore’s Marine Technology Solution secured a Type Approval certificate from KR for Carbon Lens, its CO₂ emission measurement system.

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