South Korean conglomerate HD Hyundai, has delivered the first merchant ship equipped with monitoring and safety systems run by artificial intelligence (AI), that remove the need for key crew members including engineers and deckhands on extended voyages.
The 180 000 deadweight tonne bulker owned by H-Line Shipping is powered by liquid natural gas and is designed to sail on extended voyages "without the help of a navigator, engineer, or deckhand."
It is the first newly built ship to be fitted with HD Hyundai's Integrated Condition Diagnosis Solution (HiCBM) and Integrated Safety Control Solution (Hicams) that can instantly diagnose equipment faults and automatically recognise emergencies like fires.
HiCBM uses artificial intelligence to detect signs of failures in advance on equipment like the vessel’s main engines, auxiliaries, compressors and pumps.
Hicams uses AI and real-time CCTV video feeds to check for emergency events onboard.
Several competing companies have trialled similar navigation automation systems with a high degree of proven functionality.
This technology will enable a vessel to sail autonomously, while the bridge team works in a remote monitoring centre.
However, for longer voyages, the technology is yet to be in a position of development where it can replace a full human crew.
"With the commercialisation of this engine automation solution, we are one step closer to the era of the world's first 'unmanned ship' in the field of large merchant ships," said HD Hyundai in a statement.
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering executive director, Kwon Byeong-hun, said the advent of the era of autonomous ships based on artificial intelligence and digital technology is “inevitable”.
