Hyundai Glovis to operate world’s first PCTCs fitted with autonomous navigation systems

SOUTH Korea’s Hyundai Glovis is set to retrofit seven of its pure car and truck carriers with artificial intelligence-driven autonomous ship navigation systems in what it calls a world first.

Hyundai Glovis has signed a deal with Avikus, an HD Hyundai subsidiary that specialises in autonomous and remote navigation, to deploy the Hyundai Intelligent Navigation Assistant System on its vessels. The system is designed to reduce fuel consumption and enhance safety.

HiNAS control corresponds to Level 2 of the International Maritime Organization’s autonomous ship classification, allowing for remotely controlled ships with seafarers on board.

The deployment of the AI-driven HiNAS control hardware and software, along with full onboard commissioning and crew training, is planned for completion by the first half of 2026.

Avikus said: “HiNAS Control fuses sensor and voyage data in real-time, utilising machine-learning algorithms to provide decision support for collision avoidance, route optimization, and track control, thereby reducing fuel consumption and operational risk.”

Prior to signing the contract between the two companies, pilot operations using HiNAS control were conducted with the vehicle carrier Glovis Sky (IMO: 9798404) from 2024.

The results show that fuel savings of up to 3.9% can be achieved through optimal route design while ensuring safety.

In the future, Hyundai Glovis plans to increase the number of vessels equipped with HiNAS control and to consider introducing a solution that goes beyond autonomy Level 3. This would involve remotely controlling ships without seafarers on board.

Hyundai Glovis expects to leverage the technology as part of its broader ESG and company-wide digital transformation strategies, to support its initiative of achieving net zero by 2045.

Founded in 2021 as an in-house venture of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Avikus has signed supply contracts for its HiNAS Control system with several South Korean shipping firms, including Sinokor Merchant Marine, H-Line Shipping and SK Shipping.