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- First universal autonomous navigation support system to receive TA, accelerating commercialization
- Validation from DNV over three years, expected to contribute to IMO autonomous navigation standards
- "HD Hyundai will advance the commercialization of autonomous navigation technology while leading the development of international standards"
SEOUL, South Korea, April 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Avikus, the autonomous navigation subsidiary of HD Hyundai led by CEOs Kang Jae-ho and Lim Do-hyeong, is stepping up efforts to commercialize its vessel autonomy technologies.
HD Hyundai said Tuesday that Avikus recently obtained Type Approval (TA) from DNV, the Norwegian classification society, for its Autonomous Navigation Support System, HiNAS Control.
HiNAS Control, which received the TA, is an integrated autonomous navigation support system that combines perception, decision-making and control functions, enabling it to detect nearby vessels and obstacles, assess navigation conditions and maneuver to avoid collisions.
The approval marks the first time a mass-produced autonomous navigation support system designed for use across multiple vessel types, rather than a specific ship or project, has received international certification. With the TA, HiNAS Control can be installed without additional verification, improving deployment efficiency and is expected to enhance confidence among global shipowners.
Avikus worked with DNV for more than three years to define safety requirements for its autonomous navigation support system and establish a verification framework. Under its guidelines, DNV systematically evaluated the system's collision avoidance capabilities, which are rooted in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), by comprehensively verifying the system alarms, navigational information display, and ship control performance.
At a time when international standards for autonomous navigation have not yet been fully established, this case of third-party verification by DNV is expected to be highly beneficial for the establishment of future regulations. With discussions underway at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the non-mandatory Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code, the approval and its framework could also inform the development of more detailed technical standards. The approval is expected to enable Avikus to respond more effectively to evolving global regulations, while positioning HiNAS Control as a standard technology in the autonomous navigation market.
"HiNAS Control's Type Approval is a major milestone, marking it as one of the first systems to bring autonomous navigation technology beyond the conceptual stage and into commercialization," Vidar Dolonen, Korea and Japan Region Manager of DNV, said.
"This Type Approval demonstrates that Avikus' autonomous navigation technology has achieved global standards of safety and reliability," Lim Do-hyeong, CEO of Avikus, said. "Building on synergies with HD Hyundai Group, we will continue to advance commercialization and lead the development of international standards."
HiNAS Control has been applied as a standard specification on vessels built by HD Hyundai since 2023 and has surpassed 500 cumulative orders to date.
- First universal autonomous navigation support system to receive TA, accelerating commercialization
- Validation from DNV over three years, expected to contribute to IMO autonomous navigation standards
- "HD Hyundai will advance the commercialization of autonomous navigation technology while leading the development of international standards"
SEOUL, South Korea, April 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Avikus, the autonomous navigation subsidiary of HD Hyundai led by CEOs Kang Jae-ho and Lim Do-hyeong, is stepping up efforts to commercialize its vessel autonomy technologies.
HD Hyundai said Tuesday that Avikus recently obtained Type Approval (TA) from DNV, the Norwegian classification society, for its Autonomous Navigation Support System, HiNAS Control.
HiNAS Control, which received the TA, is an integrated autonomous navigation support system that combines perception, decision-making and control functions, enabling it to detect nearby vessels and obstacles, assess navigation conditions and maneuver to avoid collisions.
The approval marks the first time a mass-produced autonomous navigation support system designed for use across multiple vessel types, rather than a specific ship or project, has received international certification. With the TA, HiNAS Control can be installed without additional verification, improving deployment efficiency and is expected to enhance confidence among global shipowners.
Avikus worked with DNV for more than three years to define safety requirements for its autonomous navigation support system and establish a verification framework. Under its guidelines, DNV systematically evaluated the system's collision avoidance capabilities, which are rooted in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), by comprehensively verifying the system alarms, navigational information display, and ship control performance.
At a time when international standards for autonomous navigation have not yet been fully established, this case of third-party verification by DNV is expected to be highly beneficial for the establishment of future regulations. With discussions underway at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the non-mandatory Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code, the approval and its framework could also inform the development of more detailed technical standards. The approval is expected to enable Avikus to respond more effectively to evolving global regulations, while positioning HiNAS Control as a standard technology in the autonomous navigation market.
"HiNAS Control's Type Approval is a major milestone, marking it as one of the first systems to bring autonomous navigation technology beyond the conceptual stage and into commercialization," Vidar Dolonen, Korea and Japan Region Manager of DNV, said.
"This Type Approval demonstrates that Avikus' autonomous navigation technology has achieved global standards of safety and reliability," Lim Do-hyeong, CEO of Avikus, said. "Building on synergies with HD Hyundai Group, we will continue to advance commercialization and lead the development of international standards."
HiNAS Control has been applied as a standard specification on vessels built by HD Hyundai since 2023 and has surpassed 500 cumulative orders to date.
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HD Hyundai Avikus Spearheads Global Standards of Autonomous Navigation Support
Continued sponsorship showcases the organization's commitment to advancing excellence across Asia's financial services profession.
SINGAPORE, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is proud to announce its continued sponsorship of Asia Insurance Review's 30th Asia Insurance Industry Awards' (AIIA) "Life Insurance Company of the Year" category, open to all distribution channels.
For more than a decade, MDRT has worked with the Asia Insurance Review to support and advance the financial services profession. The AIIA sponsorship reinforces MDRT's commitment to the growth of companies and advisors across the region and celebrating their outstanding client support and success.
"MDRT champions excellence by supporting companies that continually raise the bar and empowering their advisers with the resources needed for sustained success," says MDRT CEO Stephen P. Stahr, CAE. "Our sponsorship of the 2026 AIIA 'Life Insurance Company of the Year' Award honors organizations that exemplify leadership in life insurance distribution by upholding professionalism and creating meaningful impact for clients, advisors and the broader financial services industry."
For almost a century, MDRT has been driven by a network of leading insurance and financial services organizations promoting the importance of serving their clients with the highest standards of ethics, knowledge and competence. Today, MDRT has members from more than 80 nations and territories and nearly 700 companies, and seven Asia-Pacific markets are among the top 10 in total MDRT membership.
MDRT opened the Asia-Pacific office in Singapore in 2023 to better serve its members and companies in the region. It liaises with MDRT's headquarters in the United States and satellite offices in China and India to improve member resources and benefits and support local and regional leaders with events across Asia.
Among upcoming events is the MDRT Global Conference to be held August 23–26, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. With programming designed for MDRT's fast-growing Asia-Pacific markets, the conference brings members and nonmembers together to celebrate achievement, recognize excellence and engage in cross-cultural exchange.
About MDRT
Founded in 1927, MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of the world's leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 80 nations and territories and nearly 700 companies. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. For more information, please visit mdrt.org.
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MDRT Sponsors 30th Asia Insurance Industry Awards
