North Gyeongsang Province, Pohang, Postech, KT Corp and partners sign MOU to develop AI-based polar maritime technology

Pohang has launched a push to develop AI-based polar maritime technology and build an industrial ecosystem to prepare for the opening of Arctic shipping routes and secure competitiveness in future maritime industries.

The city signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday with North Gyeongsang Province, Pohang University of Science and Technology (Postech), KT Corp, KT SAT and Mapsi Co. at the Postech ChangeUp Ground. The agreement covers the development of AI-based polar maritime technology and the creation of a maritime industrial ecosystem.

The signing ceremony was attended by Pohang Mayor Park Yong-seon, North Gyeongsang Province Deputy Governor for Economy Yang Geum-hee, Pohang City Council Speaker Kim Cheol-su, Postech President Kim Seong-geun, KT Corp Division Head Seong Won-je, KT SAT Executive Vice President Park Hyeon-bae and Mapsi CEO Jo Hong-rae.

The partners drew up the agreement to develop AI technology using diverse maritime data — covering oceans, ports, weather, satellites, shipping routes and logistics — and to build an ecosystem for future maritime industries.

Under the MOU, the participating organizations will integrate Postech's maritime AI and data analytics capabilities, KT Corp's AI and cloud technology, KT SAT's satellite communications and satellite data, and Mapsi's AI-based navigation system. Together, they will build an integrated AI maritime technology platform called Ocean AI Foundry.

The partners also plan to cooperate on collecting, linking and standardizing maritime data, satellite-based ocean monitoring, and the development of navigation support technology.

They will also pursue pilot projects using regional port infrastructure centered on Pohang's Yeongil Bay Port, and work together to secure next-generation maritime industry technology — including AI-based shipping route analysis, carbon emission reduction and the application of digital twin technology for port operations optimization.

An expert forum held after the signing ceremony discussed the direction of maritime engineering research and development, future vessel AI technology, and strategies for developing polar maritime technology, all under the theme of AI-based maritime technology development.

"As the era of Arctic shipping routes arrives, building an ecosystem that connects AI-based polar maritime technology to industry is more important than ever," Pohang Mayor Park said. "We will do our utmost to strengthen cooperation among businesses, universities and local governments so that Pohang can emerge as a hub city leading innovation in future maritime industries, centered on Yeongil Bay Port."