In a landmark step for smart ship technology, ClassNK has awarded a Technology Qualification (TQ) statement to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its Samsung Autonomous Navigation Assistance System – Integrated Bridge System (SAS-IBS). The recognition marks an important milestone in the journey toward safer and more reliable autonomous vessel operations.
The TQ certificate was officially presented during KORMARINE 2025, following an extensive review by ClassNK of the SAS-IBS system — a core element of SHI’s broader autonomous navigation suite.
Enhancing safety through intelligent autonomy
The SAS-IBS software is designed to enhance navigational safety by assessing collision and grounding risks, generating optimal avoidance routes, and managing alerts within the ship’s defined operational domain. Using data from onboard sensors and advanced algorithms, the system supports bridge officers in real-time decision-making and improves overall situational awareness.
According to ClassNK, the qualification process included novelty evaluation, risk assessment, simulation testing, and system validation, confirming that SAS-IBS performs reliably within its designated scope. The society emphasized that the TQ was issued to verify the technology’s safety and functionality before the completion of full regulatory frameworks for autonomous navigation systems.
A step forward for SHI and maritime automation
The approval follows ClassNK’s earlier Approval in Principle (AiP) for SHI’s wider Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS) concept — an integrated system that combines intelligent navigation, route optimization, and operational automation. Together, these recognitions reflect SHI’s growing leadership in the autonomous shipping space and its commitment to developing vessels that are both smart and safe.
“Receiving ClassNK’s TQ statement provides strong validation of our autonomous navigation system and its readiness for real-world application,” an SHI representative noted at the ceremony. “This marks a key step toward deploying fully autonomous solutions in commercial shipping.”
Building trust in emerging technologies
ClassNK’s early qualification program is part of its broader initiative to support maritime digitalization and emerging technologies. The TQ scheme allows developers to obtain formal validation for innovative systems even before conventional standards are finalized, helping bridge the gap between innovation and regulation.
Industry analysts say this move not only bolsters SHI’s credibility but also contributes to global efforts to standardize autonomous vessel technology. As shipbuilders and operators explore higher levels of automation, such early certifications are expected to play a pivotal role in de-risking adoption and fostering market confidence.
Shaping the future of navigation
The recognition of SHI’s SAS-IBS positions the company among the frontrunners in the race toward autonomous shipping. While further trials, regulatory alignments, and operational validations are still needed, the TQ from ClassNK underscores how classification societies are adapting to support a new era of smart, connected, and self-navigating vessels.
As the maritime industry continues its digital transformation, milestones like this demonstrate that autonomy at sea is not a distant vision but an emerging reality.
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