Hyundai Glovis to validate remote navigation technology for car carriers

Hyundai Glovis is moving to validate remote navigation technology for pure car and truck carriers, or PCTCs, as it prepares for the coming era of autonomous shipping.

The company announced Monday that it signed a four-way MOU for the "development and validation of a PCTC remote operation control concept" on June 2 (local time) at Posidonia 2026, an international shipbuilding and marine industry expo held in Athens, Greece. The agreement was concluded with its ship management subsidiary G-Marine Service, autonomous navigation solution provider Avikus, and the Korean Register (KR).

The MOU aims to verify the feasibility of applying remote navigation technology to PCTCs currently operated by Hyundai Glovis and to establish the operational framework for doing so.

Hyundai Glovis already operates eight of its car carriers equipped with Avikus's autonomous navigation solution HiNAS Control. 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 extend the solution to newly built car carriers as well.

Autonomous vessel technology is advancing through several stages — from decision-support systems that assist crew members, to remote operation with crew still aboard, to unmanned remote control, and ultimately to fully autonomous navigation. Through this validation project, Hyundai Glovis intends to confirm the practical effectiveness of remote navigation technology and flesh out the related operational framework.

The company also plans to accelerate development of the technologies needed for a future Remote Operation Center (ROC). An ROC is an integrated onshore system that monitors vessel status in real time and supports and controls navigation — widely regarded as core infrastructure for the coming age of remote and fully autonomous shipping.

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