HJ Jungkong to integrate autonomous navigation into its vessels
HJ Jungkong said Sunday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with HD Hyundai Avikus to supply autonomous navigation solutions and pursue technology cooperation.
The two companies signed the MOU on June 4 (local time) at Posidonia 2026, the world's largest maritime exhibition, held at the Metropolitan Expo Centre in Athens, Greece.
Under the agreement, the two companies will apply HD Hyundai Avikus' HiNAS Control — a Level 2 autonomous navigation solution for large commercial vessels — to ships developed and built by HJ Jungkong, and will continue mutual technology cooperation going forward.
HD Hyundai Avikus developed HiNAS Control using AI and Internet of Things technology, and the system was commercialized in 2022.
HJ Jungkong said the MOU is aimed at securing a competitive edge early in the next-generation, high-value vessel market. Autonomous vessels can significantly cut fuel and labor costs, which together account for roughly 80 percent of commercial ship operating expenses.
"As vessel unmanning advances rapidly, the need to proactively prepare for the future ship market is growing," HJ Jungkong CEO Yoo Sang-chul said. "This agreement lays the foundation for our autonomous vessel development, and we will continue building a track record to strengthen our technological capabilities."
yeongdai@heraldcorp.com
