ABS has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with three maritime organizations in Korea to work on developing international standards for the next generation of smart ships and shipyards.
The organizations involved are the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI), the Korean Offshore & Shipbuilding Association (KOSHIPA), and the Research Institute of Medium & Small Shipbuilding (RIMS). Together with ABS, they will spend five years creating global standards for vessels and shipyards that utilize digital technology, smart manufacturing, and advanced maritime systems. As part of this collaboration, ABS is already helping to create preliminary standards in two key areas: digital production and traceability requirements for 3D-printed ship components, as well as vent mast design for hydrogen-fueled ships.
“Shipbuilding is evolving quickly, and the international standards for smart ships, smart shipyards, and advanced manufacturing are still being developed. ABS has strong relationships with Korea’s shipbuilding industry, and this agreement will leverage that experience to create the standards needed in the industry. This also shows why Korean shipyards turn to ABS for safe advancements in technology,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
This MOU builds on a previous agreement between ABS and the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) to promote international standards for smart ship and shipyard technologies. This effort is part of Korea’s national strategy to take the lead in developing high-value vessels. It also signals ABS's growing collaboration with Korea’s maritime sector, including recent partnerships with both Korean and U.S. institutions through the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center.
“International standards are not just technical details; they are crucial for entering the market and are essential for global competitiveness. Working with ABS allows us to merge Korea’s standardization expertise with ABS's classification knowledge, and we expect this collaboration to yield practical outcomes that will help Korean equipment manufacturers access overseas markets,” stated Joo-Hyoung Choi, Managing Director of KOMERI.
As new technologies progress from development to practical use, ABS is dedicated to supporting the standards and safety frameworks that the maritime industry requires. Learn more here.
Photo Caption (L to R): Jongbok Park, KOSHIPA Department Leader; Hyun-Buki Jeon, ABS Director, North Pacific Regional Offshore Business Development; Donghak Yang, KATS Deputy Director; Joo-Hyoung Choi, KOMERI Managing Director; and Juyeon Yoo, RIMS Director.