HD Korea Shipbuilding partners with Siemens to build AI powered shipyards

SEOUL – HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has signed a definitive agreement with Siemens Digital Industries Software to develop a next generation AI powered marine platform, marking a significant step towards fully autonomous and digitally connected shipyards.

The agreement forms part of HD KSOE's long term strategy to transform traditional shipbuilding by integrating artificial intelligence, digital twin technology and automation across the entire vessel construction process, from initial design through to production, logistics, quality control, inspection and sea trials.

The signing ceremony was held in Washington, D.C., during the opening of the Korea US Shipbuilding Partnership Center, attended by senior executives from both companies, including HD KSOE President and Chief Executive Officer Kim Hyung kwan and Siemens Digital Industries Software President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Hemmelgarn.

At the heart of the collaboration is a next generation marine platform built around a single three dimensional data environment. The system will enable engineers, designers, suppliers and production teams to work from the same real time digital model, allowing design changes, production schedules and operational updates to flow seamlessly throughout the shipbuilding process.

The platform is expected to improve decision making, reduce construction delays, enhance quality control and increase productivity by providing greater visibility across complex shipbuilding operations.

HD KSOE also plans to develop a Virtual Shipyard that digitally replicates real world shipyard operations. The virtual environment will allow production processes, equipment performance and manufacturing workflows to be simulated before implementation, helping identify bottlenecks and improve operational efficiency.

The company said the initiative is laying the foundation for a future "Physical AI" shipyard where robots and autonomous manufacturing systems perform many construction tasks with minimal human intervention.

Ultimately, HD KSOE aims to establish an autonomous manufacturing system that digitally connects every phase of ship construction, creating one of the world's most advanced smart shipbuilding ecosystems.

Tony Hemmelgarn said the collaboration goes beyond technology deployment, describing it as a blueprint for the future of global shipbuilding that combines Siemens' expertise in industrial AI, automation and digital twin software with HD Hyundai's operational capabilities.

Kim said artificial intelligence is becoming a transformative technology that is fundamentally changing how ships are designed, built and operated. By integrating AI, automation and digital technologies into a connected shipyard environment, the company hopes to establish a new global benchmark for the industry while supporting the modernisation of shipbuilding worldwide.

The announcement comes as global shipbuilders race to adopt advanced digital technologies amid increasing demand for more efficient production, labour shortages and growing pressure to build smarter, greener and more technologically advanced vessels. Industry analysts believe AI driven manufacturing will play an increasingly important role in improving competitiveness as the maritime sector embraces Industry 4.0 technologies.