HD Hyundai Samho Co., Ltd., Avikus Co, Ltd. and NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Joint Development Project.
The project will trial autonomous navigation technology on an 180K LNG carrier currently under construction.
The MOU, signed at the ClassNK booth at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, covers the development of a ship design incorporating Avikus’s HINAS Control system, with the aim of assessing its suitability for a ClassNK notation related to autonomous navigation.
The project follows the entry into force, on 1 July 2026, of the non-mandatory International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, adopted at the 111th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee.
The three companies will jointly conduct technical studies and verification based on ClassNK’s “Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation of Ships”, combining HD Hyundai Samho’s shipbuilding expertise, Avikus’s navigation technology and ClassNK’s regulatory and certification knowledge.
HD Hyundai Samho will lead the basic vessel design work; Avikus will supply the HINAS Control solution along with technical support for the navigation algorithms and system functions; and ClassNK will handle design review and assessment against the notation requirements. If successful, the parties intend to expand the technology’s application to further vessels.
Hak-Mu Shim, Executive Vice President and Head of Design Division at HD Hyundai Samho, said: “This MOU marks an important first step toward securing advanced autonomous navigation technology by proactively obtaining Approval in Principle for compliance with classification notation requirements.”
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Hayato Suga, President & CEO of ClassNK, stated: “At a time when international technical standards for autonomous ships are rapidly evolving, trilateral collaboration among a shipbuilder, an autonomous navigation solution provider, and a classification society is highly significant. Through this project, we will contribute to the safe implementation of autonomous ships in society.”
Do-Hyeong Lim, CEO of Avikus, said HINAS Control has already been adopted as a standard solution across HD Hyundai Group vessels, adding: “This JDP will serve as an important opportunity to objectively verify the safety and reliability of the technology against classification standards. Through this collaboration, we aim to further enhance the reliability of autonomous navigation and accelerate our expansion into the global market.”
The agreement adds to a growing wave of classification-backed autonomy trials across the industry, as regulators, shipbuilders and technology providers work to establish clear certification pathways ahead of wider commercial deployment of autonomous shipping.
For more information:
HD Hyundai Samho Co., Ltd. – https://www.hd-samho.com/eng/
