Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources

South Korea commits $346m to fully autonomous ships by 2032South Korea commits $346m to fully autonomous ships by 2032 ↗ (opens in a new tab)

South Korea will invest $346 million by 2032 to develop fully autonomous (Level 4) ships, aiming to lead global orders for the technology by 2035. The project, led by two ministries, includes unmanned navigation, automated systems, and testing in domestic and international waters. It builds on a prior $120 million program (2020–2025) that achieved Level 3 autonomy. The initiative is part of a broader maritime AI strategy to boost productivity, safety, and environmental management.