Chung Kisun, executive vice chairman of the world’s largest shipbuilder HD Hyundai Co., has met with Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies Inc., an AI software developer for automation and data analytics.
During the meeting on March 6, they shared the progress in their Future of Shipyard (FOS) project and expored opportunities for collaboration in the defense industry, according HD Hyundai.
The talks took place a day before Chung visited the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland as HD Hyundai is working on launching maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for the US Navy.
The South Korean shipbuilder, along with its local peer Hanwha Ocean Co., are also setting its sights on the US warship market as Seoul and Washington seek to deepen cooperation in shipbuilding and high-tech industries.
HD Hyundai, the parent of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., has been teaming up with Palantier since 2021 on the FOS.
FOS refers to a smart shipyard that integrates digital technologies such as data, virtual reality, robotics and automation to enhance the production efficiency of the labor-intensive shipbuilding industry.
HD Hyundai’s affiliates, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Samho Co. and HD Hyundai Mipo Co., have completed the first phase of the FOS projects.
By 2026, they will optimize connectivity and predictive capabilities within their shipyards, before achieving fully autonomous operations by 2030.
COOPERATION IN DEFENSE SECTOR
During the meeting in the Washington DC office of Palantir, Chung also shared the view with Karp that AI-driven defense solutions are a key area of cooperation for the security of both South Korea and the US.
The two companies are now expanding their partnership to integrate Palantir’s AI-based mission automation technology into HD Hyundai’s reconnaissance unmanned surface vehicle, set for completion by 2026.
Palantir has secured multiple defense contracts, including supplying AI-enabled systems to the US Army and an AI agent program for the US Department of Defense.
During the visit to the US Naval Academy on March 7, Chung met with USNA Superintendent Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids, said HD Hyundai in a press release.
He noted that HD Hyundai has secured world-leading technology in AI-based autonomous navigation and advanced digital vessels in a discussion with the academy officials and midshipmen.
“We have successfully built five world-class Aegis destroyers, which we have delivered to the (South Korean) Navy, supporting innovation in national security,” Chung added.
He is set to attend 2025 CERAweek, the world’s largest energy conference scheduled for March 10-14 in Houston, Texas.
By Hyung-Kyu Kim
khk@hankyung.com
Yeonhee Kim edited this article.
