Eastern Pacific Shipping and Avikus sign retrofit contract for AI-based autonomous navigation solution
Published by Alfred Hamer,
Editorial Assistant
Dry Bulk,
Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), a global leader in ship management with a strong commitment to innovation and decarbonisation, has signed an installation contract with Avikus, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai and a pioneer in maritime autonomous navigation. The agreement will see Avikus’ HiNAS Control, SVM and HiNAS Cloud systems deployed on two EPS-managed vessels – a bulk carrier and a suezmax tanker. The signing ceremony took place in Singapore with Mr. Sachin Saharawat, EPS’s Technical Director, and Mr. Dohyeoung Lim, Avikus’s CEO, in attendance.
Under the agreement, Avikus will install its AI-powered HiNAS Control solution, including hardware and software, along with HiNAS Cloud, an advanced analytics platform for shore-side fleet monitoring. The scope also includes full commissioning and a comprehensive training programme encompassing onboard and ongoing online crew education.
This marks Avikus’ first commercial retrofit contract outside Korea, reflecting growing global demand for practical, AI-driven maritime solutions that enhance safety and fuel efficiency.
“EPS is proud to lead the industry in adopting cutting-edge technologies that support safer, smarter and greener operations,” said Mr. Sachin Saharawat, Technical Director at EPS. “This partnership with Avikus will enable us to accelerate our digital transformation while delivering measurable performance and sustainability gains across our fleet.”
HiNAS Control leverages real-time sensor fusion and machine learning to support autonomous navigation and optimise routing decisions. By allowing for more precise control of vessel operations in diverse sea and weather conditions, it significantly reduces fuel consumption. Complementing this, the HiNAS Cloud equips shore-based teams with advanced voyage analytics and decision support tools. Together, the integrated solution substantially improves operational efficiency and reduces emissions.
“We are honoured to partner with EPS, a global frontrunner in maritime digitalisation,” said Mr. Dohyeoung Lim, CEO of Avikus. “This agreement validates the strength of our autonomous technology and its ability to deliver tangible fuel savings and safety improvements. We are excited to expand our international retrofit footprint through this milestone collaboration.”
Avikus, backed by HD Hyundai, has successfully equipped over 350 vessels with its navigation assistance systems, spanning both newbuilds and retrofits. With tightening global regulations and rising stakeholder expectations, the maritime industry is increasingly turning to autonomous technologies to navigate toward safer, more sustainable operations.
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Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/environment-sustainability/23052025/eastern-pacific-shipping-and-avikus-sign-retrofit-contract-for-ai-based-autonomous-navigation-solution/