- Government Exempts AI Ship Project from Feasibility Study.
- 600 Billion Won Initiative Targets Level 4 Unmanned Navigation.
- R&D to Focus on Engine Automation and Integrated Vessel Management.
Technology enabling ships to operate completely independently, without crew or remote control, is set to be developed starting next year, marking a major step toward full maritime automation, reports Business Korea.
Project Approved Without a Preliminary Feasibility Study
On November 6, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it convened the 8th National Research and Development (R&D) Project Evaluation Coordination Committee. They confirmed that a joint project between the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources will move forward without the usual preliminary feasibility studies. This project is all about developing AI-driven technology for fully autonomous navigation in ships.
Government to Finalise Budget and Kick Off R&D in 2026
After reviewing future business plans, the government is set to finalise the budget for this project and officially kick off R&D next year. Initially, the project was proposed with a budget of 600 billion won, and the exemption from preliminary feasibility studies was greenlit last month during a Cabinet meeting led by President Lee Jae-myung.
Advancing Toward Level 4 Autonomous Navigation
This initiative will zero in on securing essential technologies for Level 4 autonomous navigation ships, which include unmanned operations, engine automation, and integrated vessel management. Just like with self-driving cars, maritime autonomy is categorised into four levels:
- Level 1: Crew decision-making support
- Level 2: Crew on board with remote control capability
- Level 3: Remote control without crew on board
- Level 4: Fully unmanned operation
Right now, our domestic technology is at Level 3.
Additional Investment in Future Technology Development
In a separate effort, the government has pledged 302.6 billion won over the next 11 years to develop future plate technology, another project that was exempted from feasibility studies last year.
Focus on Innovation and National Growth
Park In-kyu, director of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “We will actively invest in innovative R&D investments that lead to national growth engines and projects of high national importance,” adding, “We will strive to ensure that science and technology becomes a solid foundation for the sustainable development of our society.”
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Source: Business Korea
