Signed at the opening of the Korea-US Shipbuilding Partnership Center in Washington, DC, the agreement brings together ABS Consulting and affiliate ABS Wavesight to work with HD KSOE on establishing a disciplined framework that helps ensure software quality, verification readiness, and implementation confidence. The SDV platform represents a structural shift in how vessels are controlled and integrated, moving core functions from dedicated hardware to software.
“Software is becoming increasingly central to how next-generation vessels are designed, integrated and operated,” said David Wechsler, President and CEO, ABS Consulting. “As the maritime industry advances toward more connected and software-enabled platforms, strong quality governance and independent validation are essential to building confidence in performance, reliability and long-term readiness. We are pleased to support HD KSOE in strengthening the foundation for its software-defined vessel platform.”
This is the latest development in a long-running collaboration between ABS, its affiliated companies, and HD Hyundai exploring the future of classification and the role of digital technologies in improving safety and performance in shipbuilding.
“The core competitiveness of future vessels will increasingly be determined by advanced software capabilities rather than hardware alone. By leveraging ABS Consulting’s proven expertise in software quality and security assurance, we look forward to accelerating HD KSOE’s AI and Digital Transformation (AX/DX) and bringing the true era of Software-Defined Vessels (SDV) closer to reality,” said Kim Hyung-Kwan, President & CEO of HD KSOE.
Drawing on more than five decades of experience in risk management and technical services, ABS Consulting provides independent QA advisory, assessment, and validation support to help organizations strengthen governance, verification, and implementation readiness for complex technologies.
