ABS, HD KSOE and Siemens sign MOU to develop digital twin technology for ammonia safety

ABS, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Siemens have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on digital twin technology for assessing the safety of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

Announced at Gastech 2026 (pictured), the MOU aims to combine computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis with digital twin technology to rapidly predict ammonia dispersion behaviour in the event of a leak. This capability would assess a wide range of leakage and accident scenarios early in the vessel design process.

“By pairing CFD analysis with digital twin technology, this project gives designers a faster, more rigorous way to understand leak behaviour. ABS is proud to bring our technical authority to this collaboration with HD KSOE and Siemens,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

HD KSOE will develop ammonia safety systems and lead related experimental research, while Siemens will provide simulation analysis and digital twin technology. ABS will supply a safety assessment methodology built around digital twins.

Chang Kwangpil, Head of the Future Technology Institute at HD KSOE, said, “The AI transformation of the shipbuilding industry is not simply about applying new technologies; it is a process of innovating the way we work. We expect the integration of AI and digital twin technologies to accelerate further in the R&D field as well.”

Byung Joon Oh, Country Manager of Siemens Digital Industries Software Korea, said, “Physics-based simulation and advanced digital twin technologies are key to ensuring the safety and engineering reliability of next-generation vessels. Through close technical collaboration with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and ABS, we will accelerate safety validation for ammonia-fuelled vessels and continue to support digital innovation across the global marine industry.”