HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has secured Approval in Principle (AiP) from Lloyd’s Register (LR) for its VesselWise Autonomous Auxiliary Machinery Optimisation Function, supporting the next stage of testing for an AI-based system designed to automate onboard machinery management.
The AiP was presented at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok after LR assessed the system against the SAFE, PERFORM and SECURITY requirements of its ShipRight Digital Ships framework.
How does HD KSOE’s VesselWise system work?
VesselWise is part of HD KSOE’s Integrated Smartship Solution (ISS) platform and is designed to apply automation and artificial intelligence to the operation of auxiliary machinery onboard ships.
Unlike digital systems primarily used for machinery monitoring or operational recommendations, the VesselWise function is intended to make operational adjustments with limited human intervention. Its control framework incorporates considerations related to safety, operational performance and cybersecurity.
The development reflects the wider adoption of digital technologies in vessel operations, particularly systems designed to support automated decision-making and machinery optimisation.
What did Lloyd’s Register assess?
As part of the AiP process, LR reviewed the VesselWise concept against the SAFE, PERFORM and SECURITY criteria under its ShipRight Digital Ships framework.
The assessment provides an independent review of the system’s technical basis ahead of further testing and implementation. The next stages are expected to include onboard application of the technology on a 174,000 cbm LNG carrier.
Andy McKeran, Chief Growth Officer, Lloyd’s Register, said: “The next phase of maritime digitalisation is not simply about collecting more data, it’s about using that data to improve vessel performance.
“Through this Approval in Principle, we have assessed the concept against LR’s digital assurance requirements, providing confidence in its technical foundation as the industry explores new ways to improve efficiency, performance and operational decision-making through advanced digital capabilities.”
HD KSOE to continue onboard validation
HD KSOE plans to continue testing VesselWise in an operational shipboard environment to assess its performance under real-world conditions.
Bongjun Choi, Senior Vice President, Head of SDV Center, HD KSOE, said: “As vessels become increasingly complex, achieving optimal machinery operation through human decision-making alone is becoming more challenging.
“VesselWise is designed to address this challenge by combining intelligent optimisation with a safety-focused control framework. LR’s Approval in Principle marks an important milestone toward real-world deployment, and we will continue to validate the technology onboard to demonstrate its contribution to safer, more efficient and lower-carbon vessel operations.”
The planned LNG carrier trial will provide a further stage of validation for the autonomous machinery optimisation function and its application in shipboard operations.
