South Korea’s largest shipbuilding group, HD Hyundai Group, will collaborate with shipping company SK Shipping to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based cargo management solution for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.
On September 1, HD Hyundai’s subsidiaries—HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and HD Hyundai Marine Solution—held a signing ceremony with SK Shipping at the Ulsan Shipyard of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The parties will jointly develop the next-generation “AI Cargo Handling Solution” (hereinafter referred to as AI-CHS).
AI-CHS is an AI-driven cargo management solution independently developed by HD KSOE. The system predicts the volume of boil-off gas (BOG) naturally generated during the navigation and berthing of LNG carriers, assisting in the decision-making process to allocate it efficiently to critical equipment such as re-liquefaction units, generators and main engines.
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the cargo tanks of LNG carriers must be transported at cryogenic temperatures. During transportation, external impacts and heat ingress cause a daily BOG (Boil-Off Gas) loss of approximately 0.1%. To maintain appropriate pressure within the cargo tanks, this BOG is consumed as main engine propulsion fuel or used to power auxiliary equipment.
Previously, the utilization of this BOG primarily relied on the experience-based judgment of senior crew members. AI-CHS, however, provides solutions by comprehensively evaluating navigation conditions and cargo handling status, enabling even junior crew members to reliably execute LNG cargo operations.
HD Hyundai has equipped the 174,000 m³ LNG carrier delivered to SK Shipping in June with the AI-CHS solution. By collecting and analyzing operational data on cargo handling during voyages, the solution conducts empirical work including cargo operation fuel efficiency assessments, fuel usage optimization guidelines, and crew task simplification.
HD Hyundai and SK Shipping anticipate that this project will significantly enhance vessel and fleet operational efficiency, enabling stable LNG cargo transportation, establishing a data-driven fuel efficiency evaluation system, maximizing vessel fuel efficiency, and reducing crew workload.
An HD Hyundai official stated: “The company will continue to strengthen its AI-based comprehensive smart ship solutions, continuously enhance the operational convenience of vessels and fleets, and lead the future eco-friendly vessel market through AI technological innovation.”