□ The Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (President Booki Kim, KRISO) announced that it will be launching a next-generation maritime positioning information technology development project to enhance the accuracy and reliability of ship positioning information.

   

 * PNT: Positioning, Navigation, Timing

□ With recent international discussions on autonomous ships, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) have recommended reducing the error range of satellite-based radionavigation systems (GPS) from 10 m to below 10 cm. Where GPS and other satellite-based radionavigation systems cannot be used due to radio disturbance, using an aided navigation system to calibrate the error range to below 10 m is recommended.  

□ Against this backdrop, the United States, EU, China and Japan are beginning to commercialize positioning technology developed based on cm-unit positioning information services and radionavigation systems.

 

□ Selected as the lead institute for the Next-Generation Maritime Positioning Information Technology Development Project by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, KRISO will move forward with full-fledged technology development. 

□ The project, which will receive a total of 27 billion won over five years beginning 2020, will provide high-precision positioning information with an error range below 10 cm, and achieve integrated radionavigation technology that guarantees an error range below 10 m even with GPS interference.

□ The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries established the Marine PNT Research Group under KRISO, and held a signboard hanging ceremony on June 24. The Marine PNT Research Group will develop core technology to provide maritime positioning information services, and enhance technical standards by conducting sea trials. It will also pursue international standardization of technology. 

□ In addition to developing new technology for unmanned ships, autonomous ships, and smart harbors, the Marine PNT Research Group will provide accurate information on ship navigation, berthing and automatic unloading, thereby preventing maritime accidents and reducing unnecessary costs. 

□ Booki Kim, the president of KRISO, said “We will exert efforts to achieve success in research on next-generation positioning information services, which can ensure safe navigation and accelerate the commercialization of smart ship technology.”