SK Innovation Launches Marine Oil Spill Response Training Using Robots

SK Innovation's startup Sheco's oil recovery robot 'Arc-M' (indicated by a red circle) is conducting a maritime containment training on the 20th near the SK Pier at SK Innovation Ulsan Complex (hereinafter Ulsan CLX). Photo by SK Innovation

SK Innovation has launched a comprehensive oil spill response drill, becoming the first private company to deploy robots for rapid and safe response to marine oil spill accidents.

On the 21st, SK Innovation announced that it conducted a joint oil spill response drill to deploy an oil recovery robot developed by the startup Sheco for initial response in the event of a marine pollution accident. Led by SK Entum, SK Innovation’s tank terminal subsidiary, the drill took place on the 20th at the SK pier near the Ulsan Complex (Ulsan CLX). The drill involved SK Entum President Jang Ho-jun, employees, SK Entum’s partner Hanyu Marine Service, and Ulsan-based refiners including S-OIL’s marine disaster response team.

The oil recovery robot ‘Arc-M’ used in this drill, developed by Sheco, has already been proven effective through use by the Korea Coast Guard, Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, and the Navy. It offers high efficiency by replacing the traditional method where contaminants had to be removed manually. The Arc-M can be remotely controlled to ensure operator safety and can be deployed without any assembly process, allowing even non-experts to respond quickly and professionally in emergencies. The Arc-M can suction 30,000 liters (l) of water and contaminants per hour and purify it to clean water with less than 5 ppm contamination. ppm is a unit used to evaluate tap water safety. Raw water with less than 6 ppm is classified as Grade 3 out of 6 grades, and Grade 3 raw water can be processed into tap water through advanced water treatment.

Sheco is a startup developing robotic oil recovery devices, algae removal robots, marine autonomous navigation, and AI-based marine pollution recognition to solve marine pollution problems occurring in various industrial environments. Earlier this year, Sheco was recognized for its business innovation and received the CES 2024 Innovation Award. For global expansion, it is currently selling products to Indonesia’s state-owned port authority. Since 2020, SK Innovation has nurtured and supported Sheco through the ‘SV2 Impact Partnering’ agreement, a social contribution project where employees support environmental startups via crowdfunding.

Going forward, SK Entum plans to review the possibility of purchasing Sheco’s oil recovery robots and expanding cooperation based on the results of this oil spill response drill.

An SK Entum official said, “This oil spill response drill is meaningful as it introduced Sheco’s robotic technology to enhance marine pollution accident response capabilities and was conducted jointly by refiners in the Ulsan region. We will continue to strive to preserve the marine environment and improve worker safety by utilizing AI technology and more.”

Sheco CEO Kwon Ki-seong stated, “Through this drill with SK Innovation, we explored additional technology development and collaboration possibilities to solve marine pollution issues. We will continue to work to maintain clean seas in both industrial and public sectors.”