HD Hyundai’s Avikus successfully conducts the world’s first transoceanic voyage of a LNG tanker, relying on autonomous navigation technologies.
Avikus, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, has successfully carried out autonomous navigation of a large ship across the ocean, becoming the first company in the world to accomplish such a feat.
Together with SK Shipping, Avikus, which specializes in autonomous navigation, announced on June 2 that it had successfully completed autonomous navigation of PRISM COURAGE,” a 180,000 square-meter-class ultra-large LNG carrier. The vessel is equipped with HiNAS 2.0, Avikus’ Level 2 autonomous navigation solution. This transoceanic voyage is the world’s first case of a vessel using autonomous navigation technology.
The ship left Freeport, Texas on May 1, 2022, then passed through the Panama Canal and crossed the Pacific Ocean. The 134,000-ton natural gas tanker arrived at the Boryeong LNG Terminal in South Chungcheong Province, Korea, after a voyage of 33 days.
Captain Young-hoon Koh of the PRISM COURAGE said:
“Avikus’ autonomous navigation technology was greatly helpful in this ocean-crossing test especially for maintaining navigating routes, autonomously changing directions, and avoiding nearby ships, which were all increasing ship crews’ work conveniences.”
Avikus CEO Do-hyeong Lim explained:
“It is meaningful that we have successfully tested the Level 2 system to operate a vessel beyond the Level 1 technology providing optimal routes.” He added, “We will lead innovation by upgrading autonomous navigation solutions not only for large merchant ships but also for small leisure boats.”
source Hyundai
Pirates be like “OH GOODY, a ship full of free fuel with no one on board in the middle of nowhere.” What could go wrong.