R&D planning, commercialization to be driven by carrier demand

MOU follows 'shipping AX strategy' released in August

Participants pose for a photo after the Korea Shipowners' Association Busan Branch and the Busan Institute for Regional Development signed an MOU at the 2026 Busan Innovation Cluster Technology Conference held at BEXCO in Busan on Thursday. [Korea Shipowners' Association]
Participants pose for a photo after the Korea Shipowners' Association Busan Branch and the Busan Institute for Regional Development signed an MOU at the 2026 Busan Innovation Cluster Technology Conference held at BEXCO in Busan on Thursday. [Korea Shipowners' Association]

The Korea Shipowners' Association Busan Branch said Friday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Busan Institute for Regional Development to drive innovation in the shipping and shipbuilding industries. The two organizations signed the agreement Thursday at the 2026 Busan Innovation Cluster Technology Conference held at BEXCO in Busan.

The MOU is a follow-up to the association's "shipping AI transformation (AX) strategy," which it published in August. In September, the association held a technology briefing connecting shipping companies with AX solution providers. The agreement is intended to broaden the technology supply base supporting carriers' AX efforts in partnership with the shipbuilding equipment and maritime ICT convergence cluster.

A survey of 12 domestic container shipping companies conducted by the association found that most carriers remain at the review or pilot stage of AX adoption, citing shortfalls in data standardization, data reliability and specialized personnel. The association concluded that joint demonstration projects with proven technology firms and linkage to government programs are needed to address challenges that individual carriers cannot easily resolve on their own.

Under the MOU, the two organizations will work together on building a cooperation framework between cluster companies and shipping carriers, jointly responding to government policy through the identification and planning of shipping AX and digital transformation pilot projects, and planning and commercializing R&D initiatives based on carrier demand.

The association's Busan branch will identify member companies' needs and translate them into concrete projects, while the Busan Institute for Regional Development will support corporate R&D and commercialization through its regional innovation cluster programs. The aim is to develop technologies that carriers actually need while offsetting costs through government project funding.

"AX is a challenge that places a heavy burden on carriers in terms of data, personnel and costs when tackled alone," said Kim Se-hyeon, head of the Korea Shipowners' Association Busan Branch. "This MOU creates a channel for member companies to demonstrate the technologies they need alongside proven firms and connect those efforts to government support." He added that the association would provide multifaceted support for member companies' AX initiatives so that the shipping AX strategy translates into tangible results on the ground.

Lee Jae-man, president of the Busan Institute for Regional Development, said connecting with the specific needs of shipping carriers "will be of great help to the development of the cluster's maritime ICT convergence sector." He added that the institute would actively support the planning and commercialization of ministry-tailored projects — including optimal routing, autonomous navigation, eco-friendly operations and decarbonization — based on carrier demand.

Meanwhile, the association is also set to sign an MOU with Shinhan Bank this month to pursue cooperation on transitioning domestic carriers to eco-friendly fleets and fostering mutual growth between the shipping and financial sectors. Drawing on Shinhan Bank's southeastern Korea-focused maritime finance capabilities, including its Shinhan SOL Cluster Busan platform, the partnership aims to facilitate ship financing for domestic carriers and expand financial support for member companies.


eyre@heraldcorp.com