The public-private joint task force team organized by our country to lead international standards in the field of autonomous ships, where international standards have not been established, is continuing active activities such as participating as a presenter at the Autonomous Ship Symposium.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on the 14th (local time) that the public-private joint autonomous ship task force, consisting of the MOTIE and shipbuilders, attended the autonomous ship symposium jointly hosted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Republic of Korea.

This symposium, held for the second time since last year, is a meeting to share research and technology trends related to autonomous ships, and the Maritime Safety Committee (May 15) will discuss the international regulations for autonomous ships (MASS Code). It was held in conjunction with the opening ceremony.

This symposium has greater significance, especially as the IMO is set to approve a non-mandatory MASS Code.

The autonomous ship public-private joint task force is comprised of about 10 members, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Shipbuilding and Marine Plant Division), the Integrated Autonomous Ship Technology Development Project Team (KASS Project Team), the Shipbuilding Association, HD Hyundai Avicus, and Samsung Heavy Industries.

The joint public-private task force dispatched this time was formed in response to industry suggestions that the public and private sectors should work together to lead the way in setting international standards in the autonomous ship sector, where international standards have not yet been established, as Korea possesses outstanding technological prowess.

As the first activity, we presented at the symposium the current status of autonomous driving system and technology development (government, KASS division) and commercialization programs (HD Hyundai Avicus, Samsung Heavy Industries, etc.).

Through this, we were able to inform leading countries in autonomous ship development, such as Norway and Belgium, who attended the symposium about Korea's institutional and technological status.

The newly formed TF is expected to continue to operate on a permanent basis in the future in response to autonomous ship verification and international cooperation.

In addition, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy introduced Korea’s institutional environment and technological status that promotes verification through the world’s first Autonomous Ship Act and regulatory sandbox through a separate interview with the IMO’s Head of Marine Technology (Sascha), and the IMO responded that it plans to sufficiently review Korea’s experience and institutional foundation in establishing international standards.

He also visited the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to discuss cooperation in the shipbuilding industry with the UK and discussed ways to create synergy between the two countries by combining the UK's eco-friendly technology and Korea's shipbuilding capabilities.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, “Starting with this symposium, The public-private joint task force for autonomous ships will continue to work together to lead international standards, and through this, we plan to actively promote the smartening, digitalization, and eco-friendliness of K-shipbuilding,” he said.