- Korea has launched the M.AX Alliance to speed up autonomous ship development.
- Government, shipping, shipbuilding, AI firms, and academia are working together.
- The focus is on faster testing, shared data, and global standard leadership.
South Korea has formally launched the Autonomous Ship M.AX Alliance, bringing together the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources with industry and research partners. The alliance was unveiled at a strategy meeting in Seoul, attended by around 100 representatives from 50 organisations across shipping, shipbuilding, AI, universities, and research institutes.
From Testing to Commercial Readiness
The government has already completed the first phase of autonomous ship development, including successful international route trials. However, the next phase requires large-scale data sharing and verification. The M.AX Alliance has been created to address this gap by coordinating data collection, testing methods, and development targets across the industry.
Speed, Engagement, and Alliance
The alliance operates under the vision of “SEA”- Speed, Engagement, and Alliance. Its goal is to shorten development timelines, strengthen cooperation, and move quickly toward international standards leadership. The name M.AX reflects a blend of manufacturing capability and AI transformation, highlighting the role of digital technology in future ship operations.
Industry and AI Firms Join In
Major domestic shipping companies, shipbuilders, equipment makers, universities, and AI firms such as Naver and KT are participating. The alliance will also support government-backed projects on fully autonomous ships, with results shared through standardisation and public platforms. A separate shipping–shipbuilding strategy council is set to launch next year to further strengthen cooperation and talent development.
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Source – Chosun Biz
