AsiaOperationsShipyardsTech

Samsung Autonomous Ship makes landmark voyage

South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries has provided details of a successful remote-controlled ship voyage.

The 38 m Samsung Autonomous Ship ship was deployed in seas off Geoje Island where the shipbuilder’s main shipyard is based. The ship was operated via a remote control system at a research center located in Daejeon, an inland city hundreds of kilometres away.

The ship returned safely to a point of departure without the help of crew after reaching its destination, which was 10 km away.

Samsung Heavy said it plans to commercialise its independently developed autonomous navigation system by 2022.

The Korean government has allocated significant funds for local companies to create autonomous shipping technology recently while neighbours China and Japan are also developing their own systems too.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

      1. Yo that’s what I wanted to say I’m one of the ETO waiting for electrical revolution. Future is ELECTRIC.

  1. Who will give employment to the sailors. And what if someone Rob’s the ship and it’s cargo

  2. Didnt Samsung have a semi autonomous crane ship / barge working for years? The same one which for no fault of its Master decided to pass through a large anchored tanker? Oh wait..

  3. May I know the power source of propulsion used in this AUTONOMOUS VESSEL? H2 Fuel cell or Li -ion batteries?

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