KR, Sinokor, HD Hyundai Partner to Transform Ship Maintenance

Korean Register (KR) has partnered with Sinokor Merchant Marine and HD Hyundai Marine Solution (HD HMS) to revolutionize ship maintenance through condition-based maintenance (CBM) technology powered by artificial intelligence. This pioneering collaboration aims to transform how vessels' main engines and generators are monitored and maintained.

The groundbreaking project will deploy advanced CBM systems on two Sinokor container ships: an 1,800 TEU vessel and an 8,000 TEU vessel. Drawing on each organization’s unique expertise, the initiative leverages CBM technology to enable real-time equipment monitoring and trigger maintenance only when necessary. This approach significantly reduces operational costs while enhancing vessel reliability. By improving efficiency, the project represents a critical step toward digitalized and autonomous shipping.

KR has been developing core technologies for fault diagnosis and prognosis since 2017, applying artificial intelligence (AI) to critical ship machinery such as engines, generators, pumps, and switchboards. This comprehensive work includes creating fault flowcharts, analyzing big data from experimental failure scenarios, and developing sophisticated AI models. To ensure seamless integration aboard vessels, KR has adopted Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) to support full-lifecycle technical services.

As part of this joint project:

Sinokor will provide maintenance history data.
HD HMS will supply past operational data.
KR will develop big data analytics, AI algorithms, and software to implement the technology on real ships.

KIM Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR’s R&D Division, stated: “By applying CBM technology to ship engine rooms, this joint development project will serve as a significant foundation for transforming vessel maintenance and collecting big data to advance smart shipping technology. Moving forward, KR plans to expand CBM applications to various ship equipment, including low-flashpoint fuel supply systems and batteries, creating comprehensive lifecycle technical services that will drive the future of maritime operations.”