HD Hyundai, UBC to research advanced naval ships

June 10 (Asia Today) -- HD Hyundai said Wednesday it will work with the University of British Columbia on advanced naval ship technologies as the South Korean shipbuilding group expands local cooperation tied to Canada's submarine procurement project.

HD Hyundai said it signed a memorandum of understanding with UBC to develop advanced digital and artificial intelligence-based autonomous ship navigation systems and next-generation naval vessel structures.

The agreement was signed Monday at UBC's campus in Vancouver. Participants included Chang Young-jae, deputy consul general at the South Korean Consulate General in Vancouver; Chang Kwang-pil, head of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering's Future Technology Institute; and James Olson, dean of UBC's Faculty of Applied Science.

Under the agreement, HD Hyundai and UBC will pursue joint research and development in future shipbuilding technologies, including AI-based ship design, digital twin simulations and autonomous navigation systems.

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The two sides also agreed to cooperate on advanced naval technologies considered central to future maritime warfare, including next-generation destroyers, unmanned naval vessels and submarines.

The partnership will also cover the development of eco-friendly advanced materials. HD Hyundai said the two sides plan to work on next-generation materials that can be applied to both naval ships and commercial vessels to support a sustainable marine ecosystem.

HD Hyundai said the cooperation is intended to help accelerate its bid for Canada's submarine procurement project. The company has been expanding cooperation with Canada not only through shipbuilding technology but also through affiliates in energy and construction equipment.

HD Hyundai Oilbank has announced plans to increase imports of Canadian crude oil. HD Hyundai Construction Equipment has also expressed interest in cooperating with Canadian government infrastructure projects, reflecting broader group-level support for ties with Canada.

Canada is seeking to modernize its aging submarine fleet, including vessels capable of operating across its vast maritime territory and in Arctic conditions. South Korea is competing for the project against Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The Canadian project could involve up to 12 diesel-powered submarines, according to industry estimates.

"Based on our world-leading shipbuilding technology competitiveness, we joined hands with UBC, one of Canada's leading universities, to help secure a one-team victory for K-defense," Chang Kwang-pil said. "We will continue expanding cooperation with Canada in advanced naval vessel research and development."

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260610010003504