Samsung Heavy Industries, KAIST launch next-generation shipbuilding research center

Samsung Heavy Industries launched the SHI-KAIST Advanced Maritime Research Center (AMRC) at KAIST's main campus in Daejeon on Thursday.

The opening ceremony was attended by Samsung Heavy Industries CEO Choi Sung-an, KAIST President Bae Choong-shik, and officials from the company's shipbuilding and ocean engineering research institute and KAIST's Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Through the new center, Samsung Heavy Industries plans to pursue joint research with KAIST in areas that intersect with traditional shipbuilding technology, including AI, robotics and eco-friendly solutions.

The center's research will focus on four major technology trends: autonomous navigation and intelligent maritime AI, zero- and low-carbon fuel propulsion systems, smart shipyard digital twin manufacturing innovation, and shipbuilding- and ocean-specialized robotics.

Unlike the previous model, which organized collaboration around individual research projects, the new center will continuously identify and carry out joint research initiatives. It will also support student researchers and run scholarship programs through an industry-academia cooperation fund.

Samsung Heavy Industries and KAIST have worked together since 1995, when the company's shipbuilding and ocean engineering research institute established the SHI-KAIST Industry-Academia Cooperation Council with KAIST's Department of Mechanical Engineering. The 32-year partnership is regarded as the longest-running model of industry-academia collaboration in South Korea and laid the groundwork for the new center.

Through the council, the two institutions have built a record of cooperation spanning an advisory professorship program, tailored courses and joint seed research projects. Collaborative work conducted through the advisory professorship program alone has exceeded 1,000 cases, including joint research projects and technical consultations. Exchanges of technical personnel have also continued through short-term researcher training and co-op programs.

"We hope this research center will grow into a hub that solves difficult challenges from the industrial front and sets new standards for future technologies," KAIST President Bae said.

"We will redouble our efforts to secure technological competitiveness and nurture talent for the future shipbuilding and maritime industry, including in autonomous navigation, eco-friendly vessels and smart manufacturing," Samsung Heavy Industries Vice Chairman Choi said.