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Naver Cloud and HD Korea Shipbuilding Sign MOU to Build AI-Powered Smart Shipyards
On July 20 2026, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Naver Cloud signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop cloud and artificial‑intelligence (AI) systems for South Korea’s shipbuilding industry. The agreement was signed at Naver’s GAK Sejong data centre in Sejong, about 75 miles south of Seoul, and was attended by the CEOs of both companies—Kim Hyung‑kwan of HD KSOE and Kim Yu‑won of Naver Cloud—along with senior executives and employees.
The MOU outlines a partnership that will create AI‑enabled cloud infrastructure, data‑center power solutions, and integrated power systems specifically tailored to shipbuilding operations. The collaboration will also cover robotics, physical AI, software‑defined vessels, and digital education programmes. A joint team will identify potential AI applications, test new technologies, and train specialists to support the project.
A key element of the partnership is the development of smart shipyards powered by physical AI. HD KSOE will supply its extensive vessel‑data platform and robotics assets, while Naver Cloud will contribute its cloud‑computing and AI expertise. Together they plan to build AI factories that can accelerate digital transformation across vessel design, production, and research and development. The project will also explore software‑defined vessels that can be controlled and operated through software after construction.
Power infrastructure for the data centres will be a joint effort as well. HD KSOE will use its environmentally friendly engine technologies, energy‑storage systems, and hydrogen fuel cells to develop power‑supply solutions for the facilities. This approach is intended to reduce the carbon footprint of the shipbuilding data‑center operations.
According to the agreement, HD KSOE brings a database of more than 200 million shipbuilding and offshore‑engineering records to the partnership. By combining this data with Naver Cloud’s AI capabilities, the companies aim to establish an AI ecosystem specialized for the shipbuilding sector. The goal is to complete an intelligent, AI‑powered smart shipyard and strengthen HD KSOE’s position in the future vessel market.
Industry observers note that the collaboration reflects a broader trend in South Korea’s shipbuilding industry toward digitalisation and AI integration. The partnership could provide a model for other shipyards seeking to adopt cloud‑based AI solutions and reduce operational costs while improving safety and efficiency.
At present, the project is in the planning stage. The parties have not announced specific timelines for the construction of the AI factories or the deployment of the smart shipyard. However, the memorandum indicates that the companies intend to begin development work shortly after the signing.
The partnership represents a significant step toward integrating advanced AI and cloud technologies into a traditionally manual industry. Whether the joint effort will achieve its stated objectives remains to be seen, but the collaboration demonstrates a clear commitment from both HD KSOE and Naver Cloud to drive digital transformation in South Korea’s shipbuilding sector.
The MOU outlines a partnership that will create AI‑enabled cloud infrastructure, data‑center power solutions, and integrated power systems specifically tailored to shipbuilding operations. The collaboration will also cover robotics, physical AI, software‑defined vessels, and digital education programmes. A joint team will identify potential AI applications, test new technologies, and train specialists to support the project.
A key element of the partnership is the development of smart shipyards powered by physical AI. HD KSOE will supply its extensive vessel‑data platform and robotics assets, while Naver Cloud will contribute its cloud‑computing and AI expertise. Together they plan to build AI factories that can accelerate digital transformation across vessel design, production, and research and development. The project will also explore software‑defined vessels that can be controlled and operated through software after construction.
Power infrastructure for the data centres will be a joint effort as well. HD KSOE will use its environmentally friendly engine technologies, energy‑storage systems, and hydrogen fuel cells to develop power‑supply solutions for the facilities. This approach is intended to reduce the carbon footprint of the shipbuilding data‑center operations.
According to the agreement, HD KSOE brings a database of more than 200 million shipbuilding and offshore‑engineering records to the partnership. By combining this data with Naver Cloud’s AI capabilities, the companies aim to establish an AI ecosystem specialized for the shipbuilding sector. The goal is to complete an intelligent, AI‑powered smart shipyard and strengthen HD KSOE’s position in the future vessel market.
Industry observers note that the collaboration reflects a broader trend in South Korea’s shipbuilding industry toward digitalisation and AI integration. The partnership could provide a model for other shipyards seeking to adopt cloud‑based AI solutions and reduce operational costs while improving safety and efficiency.
At present, the project is in the planning stage. The parties have not announced specific timelines for the construction of the AI factories or the deployment of the smart shipyard. However, the memorandum indicates that the companies intend to begin development work shortly after the signing.
The partnership represents a significant step toward integrating advanced AI and cloud technologies into a traditionally manual industry. Whether the joint effort will achieve its stated objectives remains to be seen, but the collaboration demonstrates a clear commitment from both HD KSOE and Naver Cloud to drive digital transformation in South Korea’s shipbuilding sector.
