HD Hyundai announced on July 17 the inauguration of its Naval Technology Institute within the company’s Global R&D Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. (Image courtesy of HD Hyundai)
SEOUL, Jul. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – HD Hyundai, a leading South Korean industrial conglomerate, announced on July 17 the inauguration of its Naval Technology Institute within the company’s Global R&D Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
The new institute represents an expansion of the Naval Technology Center, previously part of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Special Ship Division. It will now operate under the Future Technology Research Institute, a subsidiary of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.
The Future Technology Research Institute serves as the central hub for HD Hyundai’s research and development efforts. Its primary focus is on securing core technologies in fields such as electrification, digitalization, and artificial intelligence (AI), which are then applied across the group’s main business sectors.
Chung Kisun, Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai (Image courtesy of HD Hyundai)
Among its notable achievements, the institute has independently developed propulsion drive technology, a crucial component in naval vessel electrification. It has also made strides in enhancing AI solutions for commercial ships, claiming a world-first in successful real-world implementation.
HD Hyundai stated that the establishment of the Naval Technology Institute is a response to the rapidly evolving naval vessel market, which increasingly demands the integration of diverse technologies.
While the Future Technology Research Institute concentrates on developing foundational technologies, the Naval Technology Institute will focus on applying and integrating these advancements specifically within the naval sector.
The company also plans to leverage the new institute to develop next-generation naval vessels for both the South Korean Navy and export markets.
This move aligns with industry projections: Janes, a respected British military publication, forecasts that over the next decade, global orders for new naval vessels could reach approximately 1,100 ships, valued at about 113 trillion won.
The Naval Technology Institute will pursue three core strategies: naval vessel electrification, unmanned vessel development, and enhancing export competitiveness. Through these initiatives, HD Hyundai aims to secure a leading position in the global naval market and attract top talent in the field.
At the opening ceremony, Chung Kisun, Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, remarked, “The special ship market is undergoing a significant paradigm shift, centered around smart vessels that incorporate advanced digital technologies. We aim to establish the Naval Technology Institute as a global leader in naval technology, contributing to South Korea’s aspirations of becoming one of the world’s top four defense industry powers.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
