KRISO and Lloyd’s Register Collaborate to Respond to the International Regulations for Autonomous Ships

□ The Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO, President Keyyong Hong) and Lloyd's Register (LR) have decided to collaborate to respond to the development of international regulations for autonomous ships.

□ KRISO and LR held a two-day technology exchange meeting on technological development and verification of autonomous ships in London, UK, on May 9 and 10.

□ The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is aiming at adopting a non-mandatory convention in 2024 and a mandatory convention in 2026 and enforcing the mandatory convention in 2028 for the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) Code, which is being developed from 2022 in pursuit of introducing autonomous ships and ensuring their operational safety.

□ Accordingly, this technology exchange meeting was held to share the current status of technological development of both organizations and discuss future challenges and strategies. In particular, KRISO and LR agreed that for the commercialization of autonomous ships, technology verification and validation (V&V) to ensure safety and reliability is important along with technological development.

□ The two organizations shared the same view that the MASS Code that is currently being discussed at IMO lacks definitions and methodological development for the V&V technologies and so relevant discussions are required before the non-mandatory agreement comes into effect. Therefore, they agreed to actively pursue technological cooperation to jointly develop highly effective V&V regulations and standards that can be used internationally.

□ Countries leading the development of autonomous ship technology also recognize the urgency and importance of V&V-related discussions and are taking efforts to prepare alternatives. Since 2022, KRISO has conducted research and established infrastructure through the development of related procedures and standards and is now in the process of securing track records. These results can be applied to the V&V of the autonomous operation technologies that are actively developed by the companies and research institutes in Korea and other countries, thereby improving the impression of Korea’s shipbuilding industry and strengthening its competitiveness.

□ Following these international cooperation activities, KRISO will participate in the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology Trade Fair (SMM 2024) to be held in Hamburg, Germany, September this year and introduce the status of Korea Autonomous Surface Ship (KASS) project and the research results related to the technological development.