Concerns have been raised that the smart shipyard, which the domestic shipbuilding industry put forward as a future revenue source, will decline to half-hearted efforts due to labor unions. To apply advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), cameras need to be installed at various angles within the shipyard, but the union is opposed.
As the shipbuilding industry, which is overwhelmed with work, accelerates the establishment of smart shipyards to improve productivity, the installation of cameras in the workplace is expected to become a new point of contention between management and labor. Hanwha Ocean decided to first install cameras at the shipyard in Philly, USA. HD Hyundai plans to install the cameras needed for the smart shipyard through communication between management and labor.
According to the industry on the 20th, the three major domestic shipbuilders (HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries) have been putting efforts into establishing smart shipyards over the past few years. To solve persistent labor shortages and enhance production efficiency, smart shipyards utilizing advanced technology are necessary.
The core of a smart shipyard is to improve work processes. It focuses on reducing unnecessary wait times and redundant tasks by collecting real-time data on all processes. For this, 'eyes' that observe various parts of the workplace are needed. By constantly tracking the location and inventory of large and small blocks in the shipyard in real-time, it can be efficiently moved along the optimal path for quick assembly.
Domestic shipyards do not have closed-circuit television (CCTV) in the workplace. Installing CCTV requires the consent of employees under the Personal Information Protection Act, but the union opposes this, claiming that the company will misuse CCTV as a means of surveillance. They also argue that automatic scanning cameras for data collection are infringements on human rights.
Shipyards are collecting worksite information through other means. Hanwha Ocean frequently deploys drones to inspect the workplace. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries enables workers to carry personal digital assistants (PDAs) to take and share photos of parts and ship processes. Samsung Heavy Industries utilizes real-time detection sensor systems in automated processes.
The industry believes that establishing smart shipyards in the United States will be easier. The U.S. has relatively lower bargaining power for unions. Hanwha Ocean has decided to begin installing cameras for safety and security reasons in the shipyard it acquired in Philly last June. Other shipbuilders considering the acquisition of local shipyards are reported to have similar plans.
The U.S. administration is contemplating ways to collaborate with the domestic shipbuilding industry. It was reported that at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial trade meeting held in Jeju on the 16th, Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, met with Chung Ki-sun, vice chairman of HD Hyundai, and Kim Hee-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Ocean, to discuss cooperative measures for the shipbuilding industry.