Avikus, a leader in autonomous navigation solutions and a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, and maritime technology company ZeroNorth have entered a strategic partnership to bring to market a joint solution that combines autonomous navigation with real-time voyage optimisation.
The shipping industry faces unprecedented pressure to operate more efficiently, cut emissions, and improve safety – all while managing growing complexity at sea and ashore. As a result, the move towards greater autonomy is gathering pace, with the potential to transform operations at sea much as autonomous vehicles are beginning to change transport on land.
Addressing this challenge, Avikus and ZeroNorth have entered a strategic partnership to deliver a first-of-its-kind solution that combines Avikus’ Level 2 autonomous navigation system with ZeroNorth’s voyage and vessel optimisation platform. Using real-time data on weather, fuel consumption, and navigation instructions, the integrated system can automatically adjust the vessel’s speed and route and improve safety with smart collision avoidance. This dynamic, self- adjusting capability goes beyond what either autonomous navigation or optimisation tools can achieve alone, enabling more efficient operations, reducing fuel use and emissions, and easing the burden on crews. The solution also enhances ship-to-shore connectivity, giving both onboard crew and shoreside operators greater transparency and decision support.
Offered for both newbuilds and retrofits, the solution will help ships operate more efficiently and safely today, while supporting the industry’s gradual shift toward greater autonomy. To date, Avikus has equipped more than 350 vessels globally with its navigation assistance technology, while ZeroNorth’s optimisation platform is used on over 5,500 vessels – reflecting growing demand for AI-driven solutions that improve safety, and efficiency.
The agreement was signed during Nor-Shipping by Dohyeong Lim, CEO of Avikus, and Søren C. Meyer, CEO of ZeroNorth. A pilot of the integrated system will be launched as the next step in the collaboration.
Commenting on the news, Dohyeong Lim, CEO of Avikus, said: “This landmark partnership between two global leaders – one in maritime technology and the other in shipbuilding – marks a pivotal step in the evolution of maritime autonomy. By combining our strengths in optimal voyage planning and autonomous navigation, we are extending the reach of AI revolution from land to sea. We believe this collaboration will serve as a catalyst for reshaping the industry, setting new standards for both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.”
Søren C. Meyer, CEO of ZeroNorth, said: “Maritime autonomy represents the next frontier for our industry – much like autonomous driving is transforming mobility on land. By partnering with Avikus, a leader in maritime autonomy, we combine autonomous navigation technology with our optimisation and data expertise. This partnership can close the gap between the optimal voyage plans that digital tools can create and the real-world execution on board – improving both safety and efficiency.”
