Avikus Achieves DNV Type Approval Design Certification (TADC) for HiNAS Control

OSLO, NORWAY – June 5, 2025 – Avikus, a trailblazer in autonomous navigation solutions and a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, today announced a landmark achievement in maritime innovation: the successful attainment of a Type Approval Design Certification (TADC) from DNV for its revolutionary HiNAS Control Standard (HiNAS Control). The certification, issued at DNV's headquarters in Oslo, confirms that HiNAS Control has been designed in accordance with the principles and functional guidance related to Decision Support, Collision Avoidance, and Navigation Functions, as described in DNV-CG-0264 (2021).

This achievement is the culmination of a robust ongoing collaboration between Avikus and DNV that commenced in 2022 with a shared vision to advance autonomous ship technology. This certification validates the design of Avikus' HiNAS Control, ensuring its compliance with DNV's rigorous standards for autonomous vessel operations and is another step towards the commercialization and adoption of autonomous shipping technologies.

"This is a momentous day for Avikus and the entire maritime industry," said Mr. Dohyeong Lim, CEO of Avikus. "Much like autonomous driving technology has fundamentally reshaped the mobility industry on land, this breakthrough will have a broader, multi-dimensional impact across the maritime sector, accelerating our mission to redefine global shipping and establish new paradigms for maritime economics and safety. Achieving Type Approval Design Certification for HiNAS Control from DNV, underscores the system's capabilities for autonomous functionality, and sets a new benchmark for the industry, it is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and our commitment to leading the autonomous navigation revolution. We are proud to partner with DNV in shaping the future of autonomous vessels."

Vidar Dolonen, Regional Manager of DNV Korea & Japan commented, "DNV is committed to advancing innovation while upholding the highest standards of safety and sustainability in the maritime sector. Our collaboration with Avikus has led to HiNAS Control receiving a TADC, confirming its design meets DNV’s rigorous requirements and is another important step towards achievement of an AROS notation for vessels with decision support as mode of operation. This approval was granted through our structured System Qualification process for autonomous and remotely operated vessels, ensuring that new and innovative technologies are founded on a sound basis of independent technical expertise. We congratulate Avikus on this latest milestone and thank them for their continued trust in DNV as their classification partner.”

The HiNAS Control Standard offers collision avoidance decision support, voyage optimization, and track control. This certification is another step in building trust in this cutting-edge solution and empowering the maritime industry to embrace the potential of ship autonomy to transform global supply chains and create new value in marine operations.

Avikus and DNV's continued collaboration reinforces their shared vision of a future where autonomous technologies can play a central role in a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable maritime ecosystem.

About Avikus:

Avikus, an HD Hyundai subsidiary, is a leading innovator in autonomous navigation technology for ships. Through cutting-edge solutions like the HiNAS (Hyundai Intelligent Navigation Assistant System) series, Avikus aims to enhance maritime safety, efficiency, and sustainability, positioning itself at the forefront of the global autonomous shipping revolution.

About DNV:

DNV is an independent assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise, DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and inspires and invents solutions. As a world-leading classification society, DNV helps the maritime industry navigate the global transformation, providing classification, technical assurance, software, and independent expert advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas, and energy industries.