Samsung Heavy Industries Launches Remote Ship Operation Centre in Taipei, Marking a Milestone in Autonomous Maritime Technology

Samsung Heavy Industries Launches Remote Ship Operation Centre in Taipei, Marking a Milestone in Autonomous Maritime Technology.

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has taken a significant step toward the future of autonomous and smart-ship operations with the launch of a Remote Ship Operation Centre (SROC) at Evergreen Marine’s headquarters in Taipei. The new facility marks the first collaboration of its kind between a global shipbuilder and a major shipping line, underscoring a shared ambition to accelerate shore-controlled navigation and advanced fleet-monitoring capabilities.
Designed as a land-based control tower, the SROC enables real-time monitoring of vessel data and the operational status of key onboard systems. By continuously analyzing ship performance, machinery conditions, and navigation information, the centre supports more efficient inspection, maintenance, and emergency response processes. Samsung Heavy Industries highlighted that the establishment of SROC represents tangible progress in integrating smart-ship technologies with remote autonomous operation frameworks—technologies expected to define the next era of maritime transportation.
Evergreen Marine, one of the world’s largest container carriers, is expected to gradually increase the number of vessels connected to the SROC as part of its digitalization strategy. The strengthened partnership between the two companies follows the deployment earlier this year of an autonomous navigation system aboard a 15,000-TEU Evergreen container ship built by SHI. During a 10,000-kilometre voyage between Oakland, United States, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, SHI successfully conducted functional tests of real-time automation systems, condition-based maintenance tools, and remote monitoring solutions using shipborne video feeds. These trials demonstrated the viability of operating key navigational and mechanical functions with enhanced support from shore-based teams.
Both companies have stated that the new centre will serve as a foundation for future joint developments, including remote periodic inspections and expanded autonomous navigation capabilities. As the maritime sector increasingly transitions toward digital operations and reduced-crew or crew-assisted autonomous vessels, such infrastructure is expected to become essential for ensuring safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
John Choe, head of Samsung’s Autonomous Navigation Research Centre, described the SROC as a “second bridge” that complements onboard personnel by offering continuous situational awareness and rapid support during abnormal events. He emphasized that the centre enhances navigational safety, particularly in scenarios requiring swift decision-making or equipment troubleshooting. Choe also expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen South Korea’s global leadership in remote autonomous navigation technologies and contribute to shaping international standards for future smart-ship operations.
The launch of the SROC arrives at a pivotal moment for the global maritime industry, which is experiencing rapid technological evolution driven by automation, digital ship management, and increased reliance on AI-based decision tools. As shipping companies explore ways to enhance operational resilience and reduce risks, remote operation hubs like SROC may soon become essential components of modern fleet-management ecosystems.
By combining the shipbuilding expertise of Samsung Heavy Industries with Evergreen’s operational scale, the two companies aim to position themselves at the forefront of next-generation maritime innovation. Their collaboration signals a broader shift toward a future in which shore-controlled vessels, predictive maintenance, and fully integrated data-driven navigation reshape the standards of global shipping.

website: www.sbb-co.org

email address: jobs@sbb-co.org

phone number: 00989365947495