Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has formally opened a next-generation Samsung Remote Operation Center (SROC) in Taiwan for long-time customer Evergreen, marking another major step towards shore-based vessel management and the future of autonomous shipping.
The new SROC enables real-time, shore-based monitoring of key vessel systems, alongside remote maintenance support for Evergreen’s container fleet. From scheduled inspections to rapid troubleshooting and decision support, the facility is designed to reduce downtime, improve response times and boost overall operational safety.
Developed in close cooperation with Evergreen and ClassNK, the project has already secured Approval in Principlefollowing detailed CONOPS reviews and comprehensive risk assessments — a move that underlines its readiness for next-generation application.
“The SROC is a reflection of our shared commitment to safer and more efficient ship operations,” said Jong-ung Choi, director of SHI’s Autonomous Ship Research Center, adding that the Korean shipbuilder will continue shifting traditionally onboard tasks to shore-based environments.
Evergreen sees the centre as a foundational step towards autonomous operations. Eddie Pai, junior vice-president of the line’s Seafarer Training Center, said the project “lays an important foundation for the future of autonomous vessels and remote operation”.
In September, Splash reported that SHI had successfully completed a transpacific voyage using its in-house developed autonomous navigation system.
The Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS) system was fitted to a 15,000 teu ship belonging to Evergreen, which sailed from Oakland to Kaohsiung between August 25 and September 6. Over the 10,000 km route, SAS carried out 104 optimal guidance operations and 224 automated control interventions, fusing radar, GPS and camera inputs to manage engines and rudders without crew involvement.
SHI said the system analysed weather every three hours, automatically adjusting route and speed to secure on-time arrival while cutting fuel burn.
