[LNGPrime/September 19, 2023] South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries will install a digital twin-based ship management platform on Pan Ocean’s 174,000-cbm LNG carrier, New Apex, as part of a new collaboration revealed on Tuesday.

The two firms entered on Tuesday into a collaboration for development of “comprehensive digital solutions” with a strong emphasis on maximization of operational efficiency through a digital platform, according to a statement by SHI.

Under this agreement, SHI plans to integrate in January 2024 its AI-based ship management platform on New Apex for demonstration.

SHI delivered this LNG carrier to Pan Ocean earlier this year and the vessel is serving a charter deal with Portugal’s Galp.

The shipbuilder said this intelligent ship management platform will analyze navigation data in real time, enabling integrated management and maintenance of all systems in a ship with optimization, and thereby maximizing cost savings in ship operation.

Following the demonstration of the platform, both companies plan to continue their collaboration to expand application of the digital solutions for autonomous navigation.

“The maritime transport sector is certain to undergo significant changes from a digitalization perspective, driven by the need for next-generation communication networks, environmental regulations, and energy conservation,” Ahn Jung-ho, CEO of Pan Ocean, said in the statement.

“Pan Ocean will do its utmost with navigation expertise to set the standards when it comes to the digitalization in the shipping industry through the results of this collaboration,” he said.