Busan Steps Up AX in Maritime and Naval Vessel Industries, Builds Cooperation Framework with Navy and DAPA

[Financial News] Busan City is joining forces with the Republic of Korea Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to pursue artificial intelligence transformation (AX) in the maritime and naval vessel industries. The city plans to boost AI competitiveness in the maritime and defense sectors and build a new growth engine linked to the region’s shipbuilding and defense industries. 
The city said it would sign an agreement with the Republic of Korea Navy and DAPA on the afternoon of the 6th at the headquarters of the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency in Haeundae District. The agreement is titled “Agreement on Building a Cooperation Framework for Artificial Intelligence Transformation (AX) in the Maritime and Naval Vessel Industries.”

The agreement-signing ceremony will be held alongside the opening of a defense AI transformation hub and the proclamation of a future vision for AI in the maritime and defense sectors. 
Under the agreement, the city will be responsible for building AI infrastructure for the maritime sector, including data centers, and fostering an industrial ecosystem. The Navy will review operational concepts for systems used in AI technology development and provide an environment for technology demonstrations. DAPA will pursue AI research and development in the maritime and naval vessel sectors and support the development of the regional defense industry.
The city expects this partnership to strengthen the research and development capabilities of the region’s maritime and defense industries.
The plan is to attract major defense companies involved in naval vessels and research institutes to the region, expand technology exchanges and joint projects with local AI companies and universities, and build a self-sustaining industrial ecosystem.
As major shipbuilders continue to bring research organizations to the region and expand their scale, some predict that AI transformation in the naval vessel industry and growth in related markets will lead to more job opportunities for local talent. 
Advanced shipbuilding is a key growth sector for Southeast Region of Korea, linked to the government’s “Five Mega-Regions and Three Special Self-Governing Provinces Strategy” national balanced development initiative. In particular, AI transformation technologies for naval vessels are likely to spread beyond military applications into the civilian shipbuilding industry.
The city expects that applying AI to the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of ships and naval vessels will help strengthen competitiveness across the industry by improving equipment diagnostics and maintenance efficiency and reducing operating costs. 
Mayor Jeon Jae-su said, “This agreement will be an important opportunity for the private sector, government and military to work together to energize regional growth engines and advance maritime defense.” He added, “As we enter the era of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in earnest, strengthening maritime security is essential. I will do my utmost to secure independent AI transformation capabilities to support this effort and grow the related ecosystem.”
[email protected] Kwon Byeong-seok Reporter