Panama Grants Self-Sailing Approval to Korea Line

Korea Line LNG, a subsidiary of Korea Line Corp., has received approval for self-sailing from Panama, the flag state, for its LNG bunkering vessel, the SM Jeju LNG 2. The ship supplies LNG fuel to LNG-powered ships at sea and is equipped with the Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS) system. The SM Jeju LNG 2 has been engaged in autonomous navigation trials over the past year and has become the first vessel in South Korea to receive approval from the flag state. The ship’s development is a result of a joint research agreement between KLC SM, Samsung Heavy Industries, and the Korean Register. KLC SM and Samsung Heavy plan to establish standards for autonomous navigation safety procedures and crew roles based on operational data collected from the pilot ship.

Kim Hyun-Jo, Director of the Autonomous Navigation Research Center at Samsung Heavy Industries, stated that this trial marks the opening of a new era of coastal autonomous navigation for large cargo vessels. Kim Man-Tae, CEO of SM Korea Line, expressed their commitment to cooperating in the development of advanced autonomous navigation systems and leading the autonomous navigation ship market.

Overall, Korea Line LNG’s SM Jeju LNG 2 has received approval for self-sailing from Panama, making it the first vessel in South Korea to achieve this. The ship’s development is a result of a joint research agreement between KLC SM, Samsung Heavy Industries, and the Korean Register. The companies plan to establish standards for autonomous navigation safety procedures and crew roles based on operational data collected from the pilot ship. This trial is seen as the beginning of a new era of coastal autonomous navigation for large cargo vessels, and Korea Line LNG is committed to leading the autonomous navigation ship market.

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