ABS has awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its innovative wireless fire and gas detection system, a breakthrough aimed at advancing safety and efficiency in maritime operations.
A Novel Approach to Shipboard Safety
Unlike traditional systems that rely on power cables for signal transmission, SHI’s new design uses a vessel’s metal structure as the low-voltage power transmission medium. Fire and gas detection signals are converted into magnetic waves and transmitted wirelessly through the ship’s metal surfaces to the control station. This approach reduces cabling requirements and mitigates issues such as signal interference, absorption, and reflection often found in air-based wireless systems.
Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, said:
“This is a unique approach from SHI to provide a wireless detection system that promises to overcome common challenges like shadowing, signal interference, absorption and reflection, found in traditional wireless systems that rely on air as the transmission medium. In addition to reduced cabling, it should also offer the industry more flexibility and scalability with these critical safety systems,”
ABS conducted comprehensive technical reviews under its goal-based standards framework for novel concepts and new technologies.
Haeki Jang, Executive Vice President and CTO of SHI, noted:
“This joint development project marks a meaningful milestone toward realizing reliable wireless systems in ship environments. By applying surface wave technology to Fire & Gas Detection Systems, we have demonstrated stable and wireless communication performance even within sophisticated vessel environments. Based on this achievement, SHI will continue expanding wireless applications to enhance safety, efficiency and operations in maritime,”
The AIP was formally presented during Kormarine 2025 in Busan, Korea, highlighting a step forward in maritime safety innovation. With ABS’s guidance and SHI’s technological expertise, the new system represents a significant advancement toward more intelligent, efficient, and resilient ship safety solutions.
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Source: ABS
