HD Hyundai, Palantir chiefs discuss AI shipyard, defense technology

Chung Kisun, executive vice chairman of the world’s largest shipbuilder HD Hyundai Co., has met with Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies Inc., an artificial intelligence software developer. 

During their March 6 meeting, they shared progress on their Future of Shipyard (FOS) project and discussed opportunities for collaboration in the defense industry, according to HD Hyundai.

The talks took place one day before Chung visited the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. HD Hyundai is working on launching maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for the US Navy.

The South Korean shipbuilder, along with its domestic peer Hanwha Ocean Co., are also setting their sights on the US warship market as Seoul and Washington seek to deepen cooperation in shipbuilding and high-tech industries.

HD Hyundai, the parent of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., has been teaming up with Palantier on the FOS since 2022.

FOS refers to a smart shipyard that integrates digital technologies such as data, virtual reality, robotics and automation to enhance production efficiency in the labor-intensive shipbuilding industry.

HD Hyundai's affiliates, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Samho Co. and HD Hyundai Mipo Co., have completed the first phase of the FOS projects.

They aim to optimize connectivity and predictive capabilities within their shipyards by 2026 en route to achieving fully autonomous operations by 2030.

COOPERATION IN DEFENSE SECTOR

During the meeting at Palantir's Washington DC office, Chung also shared the view with Karp that AI-driven defense solutions are a key area of cooperation for the security of both Korea and the US.

The two companies are now expanding their partnership to integrate Palantir's AI-based mission automation technology into HD Hyundai’s reconnaissance unmanned surface vehicle, set for completion by 2026.

Palantir has secured multiple defense contracts, including supplying AI-enabled systems to the US Army and an AI agent program for the US Department of Defense.

During his visit to the US Naval Academy (USNA), Chung met with USNA Superintendent Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids, said HD Hyundai in a press release.

In a discussion with academy officials and midshipmen, he noted that HD Hyundai has secured world-leading technology in AI-based autonomous navigation and advanced digital vessels.

“We have successfully built five world-class Aegis destroyers, which we have delivered to the (South Korean) Navy, supporting innovation in national security,” Chung added.

He is set to attend 2025 CERAweek, the world’s largest energy conference scheduled for March 10-14 in Houston, Texas.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com
 

Yeonhee Kim edited this article.