Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and the Republic of Korea’s Korean Register (KR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a framework aimed at strengthening verification and validation (V&V) for perception and autonomy technologies used in Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs).

This collaboration brings together DSTA’s strengths in systems engineering with KR’s global expertise in maritime policy, certification, and safety standards. Under the agreement, the two organizations will co-develop a comprehensive V&V framework to assess AI-based perception algorithms and other core technologies that underpin safe and reliable USV operations.

DSTA selected KR as its partner in recognition of KR’s integrated approach that spans policy, technology, and evaluation, as well as its extensive technical capabilities. Through this project, both organizations will play complementary roles in advancing the international standardization of safety verification frameworks for autonomous maritime systems.

Mr Ong Li Koon, Director Naval Systems at DSTA, said,
“As the maritime sector moves towards broader adoption of autonomous technologies across both defence and commercial domains, our partnership with Korean Register to co-develop a unified validation and verification framework will help raise the global benchmark for autonomous navigation safety.”

Mr Kim Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR, commented,
“This collaboration will support the development of robust test methodologies and safety guidelines for AI-based USV systems. Our goal is to enhance the safety and reliability of maritime technologies, thereby strengthening public and regulatory confidence in the deployment of autonomous vessels.”

KR plans to build on this project to further reinforce its role in the maritime AI certification field and expand its global partnerships. The outcomes of the joint research are expected to contribute to international standards and regulatory discussions, helping to establish a trusted global framework for autonomous ship technologies.