Journalist

Kim Jeong-hoon
  • Autonomous navigation advances as Samsung Heavy completes trans-Pacific test
    Autonomous navigation advances as Samsung Heavy completes trans-Pacific test SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) - Samsung Heavy Industries said on Thursday that it had successfully tested an artificial intelligence–based autonomous navigation system on a trans-Pacific voyage, a milestone in the shipping industry’s push toward automation and efficiency. The system, known as Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS), was installed on a 15,000-TEU container vessel operated by Evergreen Marine of Taiwan. The ship departed Oakland, Calif., on Aug. 25 and arrived in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Sept. 6, after traveling thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean. Over the course of the voyage, the SAS platform analyzed weather patterns and sea conditions every three hours, issuing 104 navigational guidance recommendations and taking automatic control of the vessel 224 times, the company said. The system optimized speed and routing to conserve fuel while ensuring the ship arrived on schedule. Shipping accounts for about 90 percent of global trade, but the industry has been slow to adopt automation compared with aviation or automotive sectors. Companies and regulators have wrestled with safety concerns, liability questions and the sheer complexity of guiding massive vessels through unpredictable seas. Japan, Norway and China have all carried out trials of autonomous or remotely operated ships in recent years, with the technology often framed as a way to reduce fuel consumption, cut carbon emissions and relieve pressure on crews. Samsung Heavy Industries, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, has been developing autonomous navigation systems for more than a decade. Its latest test reflects a shift from collision-avoidance support toward what the company calls “economic navigation” — maintaining steady speeds, optimizing fuel efficiency and improving punctuality. “SAS has evolved from a collision-avoidance support system to one that maintains economic speed and punctuality, contributing as an eco-friendly solution to the global shipping industry,” said Lee Dong-yeon, head of Samsung’s Shipbuilding and Marine Research Institute. Lee said it would continue working with Evergreen to refine the technology, with a focus on route optimization and further fuel savings. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-25 10:04:52
  • Hyosung Heavy secures $150 million US power grid contract
    Hyosung Heavy secures $150 million US power grid contract SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Hyosung Heavy Industries, a South Korean power equipment maker, said Friday it has secured a $150 million contract to supply ultra–high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers to a U.S. firm. The deal will provide a package of 765-kilovolt transformers, reactors and 800-kilovolt circuit breakers. It is the first time a Korean company has delivered a complete solution for America’s 765-kilovolt transmission network — the backbone of its long-distance power grid. The equipment will be deployed across large-scale projects in the South and East, regions expected to see electricity demand climb by as much as 25 percent over the next decade as data centers expand and electric vehicles gain traction. Utilities have increasingly turned to 765-kilovolt systems, the highest-capacity lines in the U.S., to move power efficiently over vast distances. Hyosung’s Memphis plant, built with $150 million of investment, is the only facility in the country capable of designing and producing 765-kilovolt transformers. Since the early 2010s, it has supplied nearly half of the units now operating in the U.S., giving the company a lead in a highly specialized market. An expansion project under way will double the plant’s production capacity by 2026. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-19 11:11:21
  • SK On names European sales head
    SK On names European sales head SK On, a major player in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market, has created a new European sales division and appointed Thomas Eller as its head. The appointment of Eller, who has nearly two decades of experience at Continental and a history of working with top-tier automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, signals SK On's intent to strengthen its presence in the critical European market. The company's strategy involves creating a "customized cooperation system" to provide more efficient, localized support to its European clients. This new approach aims to streamline communication and enhance responsiveness. SK On currently operates three battery production plants in Hungary, a key manufacturing hub in Europe. The new division's primary goal is to increase orders to improve the utilization and profitability of these facilities. This move mirrors SK On's earlier strategy in North America, where it appointed Rob Schnell as its regional head in February to strengthen sales capabilities and manage relationships with major clients such as Ford, GM, and Stellantis. The appointment of Eller is part of a broader, company-wide initiative to fortify its global sales network and respond more effectively to local market demands. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-17 10:20:18