HD Hyundai Abicus, World's First to Prove Fuel-Saving Effects of Autonomous Navigation

HD Hyundai's autonomous navigation specialist company, Abicus, has become the first in the world to prove the fuel-saving effects of autonomous navigation by actually operating ultra-large vessels.

On the 26th, Abicus announced that it received basic certification (AiP) from the Korean Register (KR) on the 25th, together with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, for the 'Fuel Saving Evaluation Methodology through Autonomous Navigation.' This certification targeted a methodology developed by adapting energy-saving verification methods used in other industries to be suitable for ships.

While developing the methodology, the two companies also demonstrated the fuel-saving and carbon reduction effects of autonomous navigation through ship operation verification.

In March 2023, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding with Pan Ocean, Pan Ocean's ship management subsidiary POSSM, and the Korean Register to jointly research the verification of fuel savings and greenhouse gas reduction of the autonomous navigation system 'HiNAS Control' developed by Abicus.

Since August last year, Abicus has applied HiNAS Control to Pan Ocean's 325,000-ton ultra-large ore carrier for demonstration. By autonomously navigating the route from Singapore to Brazil, a total distance of 9,334 km, several times, they collected ship operation data and revealed a fuel-saving effect of up to 15%. As fuel consumption decreases, carbon emissions are also expected to be reduced by up to 10%.

HiNAS Control, developed by Abicus, is an AI-based autonomous navigation system that fuses information provided by various navigation equipment and sensors to guide and control the ship to operate on the optimal route and speed.

Previously, in June 2022, Abicus successfully completed the world's first autonomous ocean crossing of an LNG carrier, achieving a 7% improvement in fuel efficiency and a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at that time.

Im Dohyung, CEO of Abicus, stated, "It is significant in that we have proven that using autonomous navigation vessels can actively respond to carbon emission regulations," adding, "Autonomous navigation vessels will become a new turning point for the sustainable development of the shipping industry."