[AI-based Ship Logistics Platform and Navigation System Demonstration Project] Local Production of Marine Radar and Acquisition of International Certification

An Ulsan-based government organisation and local companies have successfully developed navigation and communication equipment, traditionally dependent on imports, and have obtained international certification. This is a successful case of overcoming a lack of testing and certification infrastructure through collaboration between institutions and companies.

The Ulsan ICT Promotion Agency (UIPA), MRC Inc. and KSS Line Ltd. announced on the 25th that, as part of the “AI-based Ship Logistics Platform and Navigation System Demonstration Project,” they have successfully localised ship radar and obtained internationally recognised certification (MED: Marine Equipment Directive) from the Norwegian classification society DNV.

Ship radar is an essential piece of navigation equipment. Until now, all mid- to large-sized radars installed on Korean-built and operated ships have been imported products from Japan and Europe, with Japanese-made radars accounting for over 80% of the market.

In the past, government bodies, research institutions, and companies have tried to localise and commercialise ship radar, but efforts ended in achieving localisation technology. They were unable to achieve any international certification, which is essential for commercialisation, due to the lack of a proper testing and certification infrastructure.

The necessary infrastructure includes testing vessels and coastal testing facilities, which are essential to mounting the equipment on ships and testing them under real-world operating conditions. Particularly, testing vessels that allow the installation of radar are a vital infrastructure that cannot be substituted by existing ships.

However, Korea had no dedicated testing vessels or coastal testing facilities for ship radar. This meant that even after developing radar, it was impossible to verify its performance over long distances and in diverse maritime environments in connection with onshore facilities.

UIPA and the radar developer MRC overcame this problem by utilising the “Ulsan Taehwa”.

The “Ulsan Taehwa” is an electric-powered vessel equipped with ICT convergence technology, built with a total investment of 44.8 billion KRW (from both the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and Ulsan City), for multipurpose use including equipment testing, onboard education and training, and marine tourism.

To utilise the “Ulsan Taehwa” as a testing and certification facility, UIPA made extensive efforts. It collaborated with shipbuilding and marine ICT companies, shipping companies, and relevant classification societies to outfit the vessel with additional equipment and testing procedures required for radar testing and certification. Multiple pre-inspection meetings were also held in preparation for maritime demonstrations.

The radar was then installed on the Taehwa, a wireless communication network was established, and long-distance testing for international certification commenced.

The MED certification standards for ship radar are extremely stringent. The radar must accurately and quickly detect other ships, maritime structures, and terrain under adverse sea conditions such as strong winds, fog, and high waves to support safe navigation. It must also demonstrate its ability to provide continuous detection information without malfunction over an extended period.

During the testing and certification process, UIPA supported verification in conjunction with onshore control, while MRC handled radar installation and detailed functionality demonstrations on the ship. KSS Lines, the vessel's management company, contributed its expertise in navigation and ship management, overseeing the testing course and vessel operations.

The radar’s performance and onshore communication capabilities were verified over approximately six months of navigation in diverse maritime weather conditions along the Ulsan-Pohang-Busan route. As a result, the mid-to-large-sized ship radar was successfully awarded the MED certification from DNV, marking a first in Korea.

MRC’s Research Director, Park Min-sik, stated, “Achieving international certification for radar is nearly impossible without dedicated testing vessels and long-term, precise testing. This is a significant achievement, as it represents the combined efforts of the radar development company, support institutions, and the shipping company to achieve localisation, international certification, and commercialisation.”

The “AI-based Heavy Cargo Logistics Platform Demonstration Project” is a four-year project that started in 2021 and aims to enhance the competitiveness of the shipbuilding and marine ICT industry.

With a total project budget of 43 billion KRW (28 billion from the national government, 4 billion from local government, and 11 billion from private investment), the project is working on developing and demonstrating an intelligent maritime logistics platform, navigation and communication equipment, and an Integrated Navigation System (INS) that digitises and integrates cargo ship operation and logistics information.

The Ministry of Science and ICT, the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), and Ulsan City are supporting the project, with the Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency overseeing its implementation.

Last year, the Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency and participating companies began developing a “Digital Logistics Platform” to enhance digital transformation and improve logistics service efficiency for P2P (port-to-port) coastal logistics.

The “Digital Logistics Platform” provides rapid and accurate information and various services to a wide range of maritime logistics stakeholders, including cargo owners, shipping companies, cargo demanders, and maritime logistics support companies.

Once the platform development and implementation are complete, it will be used primarily for the coastal transportation of heavy cargo, such as ship steel plates. The agency also plans to expand the platform’s use to small and medium-sized shipping companies handling a variety of cargo. In 2025, the agency will demonstrate the platform in conjunction with the developed digital logistics platform and navigation and communication equipment.

In addition to the ship radar, the “Navigation and Communication Equipment Development” segment has also developed and obtained international classification certification for other equipment, including an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), a Bridge Alarm Management System (BAMS), a Comprehensive Integrated Display (CID), an autopilot system, and display devices and processor units specifically designed for ships. This year, the development of an intelligent Integrated Navigation System (AI-INS), which integrates navigation equipment, has also commenced.

Jang Byung-tae, Director of the Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency, said, “Based on the results of the Heavy Cargo Logistics Platform Demonstration Project, we will drive practical growth and digital transformation in the shipping industry. We will continue to identify and expand new growth models for maritime logistics services, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of shipping and navigation and communication equipment companies, and creating new markets for maritime ICT convergence.”