Hanwha Ocean develops draft measuring with drones

South Korea's Hanwha Ocean Co., the world's third-largest shipbuilder, announced on Tuesday that it has developed a system that utilizes drones and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to capture and measure the draft of ships.

The draft, defined as the depth to which a ship's hull submerges under the water, is a key indicator of a vessel's weight and stability.

It varies with the ship's cargo load, with an increased draft heightening the risk of capsizing.

Accurately determining a ship's draft is essential for assessing its maximum cargo capacity.

Traditionally, assessing a ship's draft has been a critical and manual process conducted during sea trials to ensure the vessel's safety and operational readiness.

Hanwha Ocean's new technology revolutionizes this traditional process.

By using drones to capture images of the ship's waterline, and AI to analyze these images in real time, the company can now measure a ship's weight and structural integrity more quickly and accurately than ever before.

This advancement not only enhances safety but also significantly streamlines the measurement process.

What used to require a team of three to four people and two hours can now be accomplished by one person in less than 30 minutes.

Looking ahead, Hanwha Ocean is aiming for technical class certification for this system, with plans to deploy it on actual ships within the first half of the year.

The company has already filed for domestic patents and is in the process of seeking international patents, marking a significant step forward in maritime safety and operational efficiency.

Write to Jin-Won Kim at jin1@hankyung.com