SNU, HD Hyundai, and U.S. Navy Launch Korea–U.S. Shipbuilding Research Collaboration
First step toward next-generation ship technology cooperation following funding approval from the U.S. Office of Naval Research


▲ (From second left in the front row) Kwangpil Jang, Head of Future Technology Research Institute at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering; Rachel Riley, Chief of Naval Research, U.S. Office of Naval Research; and Prof. Yonghwan Kim, Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Seoul National University

Seoul National University College of Engineering announced that on April 23 (local time), SNU, the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR), and HD Hyundai held a launch ceremony at ONR headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, marking the official start of Korea–U.S. research collaboration in the shipbuilding sector.

The event was organized to formally inaugurate a Korea–U.S. next-generation ship research collaboration group centered on SNU, ONR, and HD Hyundai, with participation from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) and U.S.-based universities. It also served to introduce research projects approved by the U.S. government and to hold a kickoff meeting for their implementation.

Attendees included Rachel Riley, Chief of Naval Research; Thomas Fu, Executive Director of ONR; Prof. Yonghwan Kim of SNU; Kwangpil Jang, Head of Future Technology Research Institute at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering; as well as representatives from HD Hyundai and the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).

The research program approved by the U.S. government consists of two major projects. The first, “Development of a Predictive Ship Digital Twin System,” will be jointly conducted by SNU and HD Hyundai. The second, “Development of Advanced Large-Scale 3D Printing Technology for Shipbuilding Applications,” will be led by HD Hyundai. The U.S. Office of Naval Research plans to directly fund the research teams of Prof. Yonghwan Kim at SNU and HD Hyundai, marking a case in which U.S. government R&D funding flows into Korea.

Prof. Yonghwan Kim’s research team will develop a predictive digital twin system capable of forecasting ocean wave conditions surrounding a vessel and the resulting ship motions and operational performance in real time. By integrating physics-based models with AI techniques, the system will enable real-time prediction of future marine environments and potential risks, allowing proactive responses. The technology is expected to enhance vessel safety and survivability while maintaining optimal operational performance. Following development, HD Hyundai will be responsible for full-scale implementation and performance validation on actual vessels.

Prof. Yonghwan Kim, who leads the research, is a globally recognized scholar in naval architecture and ocean engineering. He is the first Korean to be named a memorial lecturer by the Weinblum Foundation in Germany and a recipient of the Kenneth Davidson Medal from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). In 2024, Lloyd’s Register Foundation in the UK announced a grant of approximately KRW 8 billion to support his research team.

The U.S. Office of Naval Research operates programs to support leading international researchers with advanced technologies. This particular funding initiative is considered highly exceptional, as it represents a large-scale support project led at the ONR headquarters level. The collaboration is expected to further strengthen Korea–U.S. cooperation in shipbuilding while demonstrating the global technological competitiveness of both SNU and HD Hyundai.


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