HD KSOE and DNV Partner to Develop Software-Defined Vessel Verification System

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 14, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and DNV signed a memorandum of understanding during Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, under which the two parties will establish a verification and assurance framework for Software Defined Vessel (SDV) technology. The collaboration is planned to run through the end of 2030, covering software platform development, independent verification, software update management for delivered vessels, and subsequent pilot and demonstration projects.

HD KSOE will advance SDV technology development based on a software-centric platform, enabling vessels to continuously connect to data during the design and operational phases and to add new digital functions through software updates. This architecture addresses the entire vessel lifecycle, with a focus on system integration, functional changes, and continuous upgrade requirements arising as traditional vessel hardware functions gradually shift to software control.

DNV will assume the role of independent verification in the collaboration, establishing corresponding verification methods, technical evidence requirements, and assurance frameworks for HD KSOE's software platform to assess the safety and reliability of software-defined functions throughout the vessel lifecycle. The two parties will also study SDV technology verification mechanisms for vessels already delivered and in operation, including subsequent software version updates, functional changes, and related lifecycle management.

The collaboration also includes technical knowledge sharing, pilot projects, system demonstrations, and joint verification with industry stakeholders such as shipowners and operators. Under the agreement, the two parties will expand the scope of verification from individual software functions to the software platform, vessel operational data connectivity, and continuous software updates for in-service vessels.

HD KSOE and DNV have previously conducted collaboration on vessel digital technology verification. Since 2022, the two parties have advanced data-based digital twin verification work, and in 2024, DNV granted Approval in Principle to HD Hyundai's cloud-integrated digital twin system. This collaboration further expands upon the existing digital twin verification to cover software-defined vessels and software lifecycle assurance systems.

Under this agreement, the collaboration framework will continue through the end of 2030. The current phase is one of joint development of technology and verification systems, with subsequent work including the establishment of specific assurance methods, pilot projects, and demonstration verification, as well as further study of verification approaches for implementing SDV software updates and functional changes on delivered vessels.