Global Shipbuilding Experts Convene to Discuss Future Vessels:

SNU Engineering Hosts International Workshop on Next-Generation Ship Design and Safety
Co-organized by the U.S. Office of Naval Research and Lloyd’s Register, sharing latest research outcomes and technology trends


▲ Group photo of participants at the International Expert Workshop on Design and Safety of Next-Generation Ships

Seoul National University College of Engineering announced that it officially opened the International Expert Workshop on Design and Safety of Next-Generation Ships on the 7th at the Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, bringing together global experts to discuss design and safety technologies for future vessels.

Hosted by SNU Engineering and co-organized by the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Lloyd’s Register (UK), the workshop was designed as a platform to discuss research directions and technological development in next-generation ship design and safety. The event reflects rapid changes in the shipbuilding and ocean engineering sector driven by trends such as decarbonization and digitalization.

The three-day workshop brings together leading experts from Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom, who are sharing the latest research findings and technological developments in the field.

The opening ceremony was attended by Young-Oh Kim, Dean of the SNU College of Engineering; Prof. Yonghwan Kim of the Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at SNU; Colin Crooks, British Ambassador to Korea; Claudene Sharp-Patel, Global Chief Technology Officer of Lloyd’s Register; and Jennifer Wolk, Director of Sea Warfare and Weapons at the U.S. Office of Naval Research.

Approximately 140 experts also participated, including Kwangpil Jang, Vice President of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Hyunjo Kim, Vice President of Samsung Heavy Industries, as well as research leaders and engineers from major Korean shipyards, faculty members from the University of Michigan, key officials from the Republic of Korea Navy’s technology sector, and researchers from defense-related institutes and industry.

In his welcome remarks, Dean Young-Oh Kim introduced SNU Engineering’s international collaborations and research activities in shipbuilding and ocean engineering, stating, “We hope this workshop will serve as a meaningful opportunity for global shipbuilding experts to share research achievements related to next-generation vessels.”

In the keynote session that followed, Dr. Jennifer Wolk drew significant attention by presenting the U.S. Navy’s vision and key technological directions for future naval vessels.

Prof. Yonghwan Kim, who served as chair of the organizing committee, remarked, “At a time when interest in global shipbuilding collaboration is higher than ever, it is highly meaningful to gather leading experts from the United States and the United Kingdom to discuss technologies for next-generation ships.”

The workshop will run through April 9 and is being conducted as an invitation-only event for selected experts.


[Contact Information]
Prof. Yonghwan Kim, Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Seoul National University / +82-2-880-1543 / yhwankim@snu.ac.kr