[Corporate Research Institute] Booming K-Shipbuilding... Norwegian Company Partners with Hyundai, Samsung, and Hanwha

⑩Kongsberg Maritime, Developer of Ship Automation Systems
Interview with Jacqueline Button, Director of Customer Experience
Emphasizing Technological Integration, Digital Transformation, and Sustainability
"Diversity and Inclusion Are Essential in the Marine Industry"

Editor's NoteSouth Korean companies rank second in the world for research and development (R&D) expenditure (2022), and fourth for the number of patent applications filed in the United States (2020). However, the average annual productivity growth rate of these companies dropped significantly from 6.1% between 2001 and 2010 to just 0.5% between 2011 and 2020. This slowdown is mainly due to the deceleration in productivity growth among so-called "innovative companies" that are actively engaged in innovation activities. Without change, companies risk being sidelined by the market. To help the industry revive its innovation DNA, we examine leading innovation cases from renowned global companies. Ultimately, it will be innovative companies that serve as the catalyst to boost Korea's stagnant economic growth rate.

"Kongsberg Maritime has established strong partnerships with three of the world's top five shipyards, all of which are located in Korea: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha Ocean."

Jacqueline Button, Director of Customer Experience Design at Kongsberg Maritime, stated in a recent interview with Asia Economy that since entering the Korean market in the 1990s, the company has maintained close cooperative relationships with domestic shipbuilders.

Kongsberg Maritime, a developer of ship automation systems, is a subsidiary of the Norwegian Kongsberg Group, which was founded in 1814. The company offers a wide range of products and an extensive system portfolio in areas such as dynamic positioning control, navigation, automation, and energy solutions for vessels. The Customer Experience Design department, overseen by Director Button, is responsible for enhancing user and client experiences by improving the usability and safety of products, including interfaces and ship control rooms.

Jacqueline Button, Maritime Customer Experience Design Director at Kongsberg and Chairwoman of the Norwegian Women’s International Shipping and Trade Association, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Kongsberg Maritime operates in 34 countries worldwide, with its main markets being countries with large-scale marine industries such as fisheries, offshore, shipbuilding, and energy exploration. The company entered Korea in 1999, during the peak of the domestic shipbuilding industry, which was ranked number one in the world in terms of order volume.

Kongsberg Maritime's technological capabilities are among the best in the world. In collaboration with Norwegian chemical company Yara, it succeeded in developing a cargo ship capable of unmanned transport powered entirely by electricity. The company also developed an autonomous underwater robot capable of carrying out subsea missions for up to 15 days. These underwater robots are well-suited for military purposes, such as detecting underwater mines or patrolling by listening for submarine sounds.

Exterior view of Kongsberg Maritime headquarters located in Kongsberg, Norway. The Korean branch office is located in Jeonggwan, Busan. Korea Kongsberg Maritime

Director Button identified three core elements behind Kongsberg Maritime's leadership and innovation in the shipping industry. First, the company prioritizes technological integration between different partners and industries, as demonstrated by the development of the unmanned electric cargo ship. Director Button said, "We have led pioneering projects with partners interested in applying convergent technologies to new problems."

The second element is digitalization and automation. Director Button stated, "Kongsberg Maritime invests in digital platforms and applications to improve operational efficiency and safety."

A commitment to sustainability is also a key factor when driving innovation. Director Button explained, "Sustainable development in the marine industry is not just about developing new ships, but about optimizing the entire marine ecosystem through innovation, integration, and collaboration." She added, "Achieving sustainable development in the marine industry requires an integrated approach that combines technological innovation, digitalization, energy efficiency, and collaboration. We view sustainable marine development as a systemic change, and through technology and insight, we enable ships to operate more safely, intelligently, and in an environmentally friendly manner."

Jacqueline Button, Director of Customer Experience Design at Kongsberg Maritime and Chairwoman of the Norwegian Women’s International Shipping and Trade Association, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Director Button also serves as the Norwegian representative for the Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), an international networking organization dedicated to fostering female executives. Having worked in the marine industry for over 20 years, she is also one of the few women to have served as a ship's captain, the highest-ranking officer on a vessel.

Director Button said, "When I first started working, there were no women to be seen, and especially none in influential roles in this field. But change is happening." She continued, "Inclusivity is part of the social foundation we need to build a resilient marine industry. If we do not create an inclusive environment, we will miss out on talent and new ideas, and ultimately lose the very elements that make us innovative."