en.Wedoany.com Reported - Lloyd's Register (LR) has partnered with SK Shipping and HD Hyundai Group to develop certifiable next-generation autonomous ship designs, aiming to establish a practical test case for how classification rules can adapt to growing automation demands.
The cooperation agreement was announced at Posidonia 2026, with participants including HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Marine Solution, and Avikus.
The goal is not to eliminate crews entirely, but to focus on transitional ship designs that combine higher levels of automation with reduced crew requirements. For operators, the core question is which tasks can be safely transferred from crew to systems without introducing new operational risks.
The project will focus on four areas: unmanned bridge operations, digital engine room maintenance, automated deck operations, and broader system integration. Lloyd's Register stated that the objective is to create a class-compliant ship concept that can be assessed under emerging regulatory frameworks, including the International Maritime Organization's developing Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships.
For shipowners, timing is critical. Shipbuilding decisions made today will affect fleet capabilities until the 2040s. Vessels ordered without a clear automation pathway may require costly upgrades later. Conversely, ships designed too far ahead of regulations may face approval delays.
For Lloyd's Register, this project provides direct input for approving future autonomous ship designs. The classification society plans to use these findings to refine its ShipRight procedures and broader guidelines for autonomous ship design. Sung Gu Park, President of Lloyd's Register Northeast Asia, stated that the challenge for many clients lies in decisions made early in a vessel's lifecycle, rather than the availability of the technology itself.
For SK Shipping, this is an operational issue. Harold Son, Head of SK Shipping's Technology Innovation Office, noted that the operator's primary task is to integrate technologies that enhance the efficiency and safety of both ships and crews. This collaboration is seen as a highly pragmatic approach to automation, helping to optimize onboard operations and reduce crew workload.
HD Hyundai Group's role is to integrate shipbuilding, marine solutions, and autonomous technology within a single project structure. Sangsik Yoon, Senior Vice President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated that the collaboration allows the group to integrate automation and system architecture, SK Shipping's operational experience, and LR's regulatory framework. The project also provides a platform for HD Hyundai's autonomous navigation expert Avikus to embed its technology within a broader ship design, rather than treating it as an add-on feature.
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