Hyundai Glovis to test remote-operation technology on car carriers

Hyundai Glovis is moving to verify remote-operation technology on its pure car and truck carriers, or PCTCs, as it prepares for the coming era of fully autonomous shipping.

The company announced Sunday that it signed a four-way MOU with ship management subsidiary Jmarines, autonomous navigation solution provider Avikus and the Korean Register at Posidonia 2026, an international shipbuilding and maritime exhibition held June 2 in Athens, Greece. The agreement covers the development and verification of a remote operation control concept for car carriers.

The MOU was pursued to assess the feasibility of applying remote-operation technology to Hyundai Glovis's existing car carrier fleet and to establish the operational framework needed to support it.

Hyundai Glovis currently runs Avikus's autonomous navigation solution HiNAS Control on eight of its car carriers. The system uses AI to analyze data collected from onboard navigation equipment and sensors, recommending optimal routes and supporting collision avoidance and speed control. The company plans to expand the solution to newly built car carriers going forward.

Autonomous vessel technology is advancing through several stages — from decision-support systems that assist crew members, to crewed remote operation controlled from shore, to unmanned remote operation, and ultimately to full autonomy. Through this verification project, Hyundai Glovis aims to confirm the effectiveness of remote-operation technology and define the operational systems required to support it.

The company also plans to accelerate work on securing the technology needed for a Remote Operation Center, or ROC, it intends to build. An ROC is an integrated onshore system that monitors vessel status in real time and supports and controls navigation — widely regarded as critical infrastructure for the coming age of remote and fully autonomous shipping.

The four partners will divide responsibilities for the verification project. Hyundai Glovis will provide real-world vessel operating experience and navigation data, while Avikus handles the autonomous navigation solution and technical verification. Jmarines will support the review of operating procedures and emergency response systems, and the Korean Register will conduct safety assessments and technical evaluations.

"This verification project is an important step toward advancing our current navigation-assistance technology to the remote-operation stage," a Hyundai Glovis official said. "By accumulating operational experience based on actual navigation data, we will systematically build up the technology and operational framework needed for the era of full autonomy."