HD Hyundai's Vision for Sustainable Shipbuilding Shines at APEC 2025 Korea

In an inspiring opening to the APEC 2025 CEO Summit on October 27, HD Hyundai's Chairman, Chung Kisun, articulated a forward-looking blueprint for the future of shipbuilding. In light of global challenges and rapid technological advancements, the theme of the Future Tech Forum centered on innovating the shipbuilding industry through strategic alliances and sustainable practices.

The Future Tech Forum, hosted at the Gyeongju Expo Grand Park, attracted over 600 attendees, including prominent figures from various sectors, making it a significant gathering for industry leaders. In his keynote address, Chairman Chung emphasized the importance of leveraging advanced technologies and fostering global partnerships. He stated, "The rapid advancement of AI technology has had a tremendous impact on other key fronts of our innovation - the sustainability of our ships and the digital manufacturing cycle."

A critical aspect of Chung's address was the call for enhanced collaboration across industry boundaries, which he believes is essential for realizing the potential of innovative technologies in shipbuilding. Chairman Chung expressed HD Hyundai's commitment to being a supporting partner in the American naval renaissance, highlighting the need for strategic cooperation between nations like Korea and the United States.

The forum covered various discussions led by influential speakers from companies like Huntington Ingalls Industries, Anduril Industries, and Siemens. These discussions revolved around critical topics such as next-generation defense technologies and digital transformation in shipbuilding. John Kim, Head of Anduril Korea, urged the importance of developing advanced defense solutions capable of quick adaptations to complex threats, pointing out Anduril and HD Hyundai's joint initiative on an unmanned surface vehicle (USV).

Meanwhile, HD Hyundai's Naval AI Advisor, Kim Hyung-taek, shared insights on how the company intends to lead the market in autonomous naval vessels by integrating its capabilities with Anduril's mission autonomy. This forward-thinking approach aims to redefine operational efficiency within naval operations.

The event also featured contributions from Patrick Ryan, CTO of the American Bureau of Shipping, who highlighted innovative technologies like AI, digital twins, and robotics as game-changers driving the future of shipbuilding. Aerin Jungmin Lee, Head of AI Strategy at HD Hyundai, showcased homegrown AI solutions including Oceanwise and HD Agent, which are designed to bolster productivity and safety in maritime operations.

As the discussions unfolded at the forum, the necessity of addressing workforce challenges in the industry became evident. Nicolaus Radford, CEO of Persona AI, noted the looming issues surrounding an aging workforce and a diminishing talent pool, proposing the development of humanoid robots as a potential solution to supplement human capabilities in shipbuilding.

Further solidifying the strategic partnerships in the shipbuilding sector, Eric D. Chewning of Huntington Ingalls Industries spoke about expanding Korea-U.S. cooperation. This encompasses joint research and technological exchanges in advanced fields including robotics and AI, thus ensuring a robust naval defense infrastructure.

The APEC Future Tech Forum serves as a dynamic platform for sharing insights and future agendas that can shape industries and economies. Through such collaborative efforts, HD Hyundai not only emphasizes its role in sustainable shipbuilding but also sets the stage for ongoing innovation and cooperation in a rapidly evolving maritime landscape. The forum sessions will continue through October 30, covering various pertinent themes including advancements in defense, retail, and energy among others.

HD Hyundai's pioneering approach at APEC 2025 Korea reflects the company's commitment to a sustainable and innovative future in shipbuilding, showing the world how industry leaders can unite for a progressive maritime sector.