Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) said on Feb. 5 that it is pushing a project to develop intelligent electrified ships, with the goal of demonstrating a prototype smart coastal passenger ship by 2030.
Hong Gi-yong, head of KRISO, briefed on the plan for major research projects in the first half at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries pressroom in Busan on Feb. 5. In the briefing, Hong emphasized that the maritime environment is changing rapidly, citing the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s 2050 carbon neutrality (net zero) declaration, moves to introduce international regulations for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, and tougher global supply chain standards centered on ESG.
He said, "The success or failure of ships' digital and decarbonization transition now depends not just on setting direction but on 'speed of execution' and 'technical completeness,'" adding, "We are entering a new phase of technological competition in which we must achieve both regulatory compliance and early standard-setting."
In response to these changes, KRISO recently achieved results including ▲ development of an electric-propulsion car ferry and ▲ construction of an eco-friendly alternative-fuel sea-demonstration vessel (K-GTB). In autonomous navigation, it achieved ▲ the world's only dedicated integrated land-sea testbed for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships and ▲ ocean demonstration voyages with an 1,800-TEU-class container ship-mounted system.
Hong said, "We are pushing the 'intelligent electrified ship development project' by concentrating the digital and decarbonization transition research capabilities we have accumulated," adding, "By integrating electric-propulsion systems and autonomous navigation technologies, we aim to develop a next-generation smart coastal passenger ship (Autonomous Electric Car Ferry) that combines eco-friendliness and high intelligence."
KRISO also plans to focus on the project to commercialize a high-efficiency onboard carbon capture system, which develops a high-efficiency system that reduces the energy required for carbon dioxide capture by more than 30% compared with existing processes. Onboard carbon capture is a technology that captures and stores carbon dioxide from exhaust gas generated during ship operation to reduce atmospheric emissions, and it is considered highly effective in cutting greenhouse gases.
KRISO also set a goal to build a domestic, proprietary AI-based design support system that can shorten hull form and propeller design periods by more than 50%.
Hong emphasized, "We will link demonstrations so that research and development outcomes can bloom in industrial settings," adding, "We will establish domestic technologies as international standards to preempt the global market. We will firmly support building K-maritime power."