Home 9 Simulation 9 Altair, HD Hyundai Partner on AI-Driven Marine Engine Design

Altair, HD Hyundai Partner on AI-Driven Marine Engine Design

by | May 21, 2025

A new collaboration is set to bring AI and simulation into marine engine design. The goal is to improve design efficiency, support emissions compliance, and streamline development for next-generation ship systems.
(Right) Pietro Cervellera, senior vice president of Altair, and (Left) Sungchan An, head of engine research center, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

TROY, MI, May 21, 2025 – Altair has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Engine Research Institute at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to enhance the performance of marine engines and power AI-driven development initiatives.

“This collaboration goes beyond technology development – it is a strategic partnership to shape the future of marine engine development,” said Pietro Cervellera, senior vice president of aerospace and defense, Altair. “By combining Altair’s global technological capabilities with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ expertise in eco-friendly marine engines, we aim to set a new standard for sustainable engine and machinery business.”

Sungchan An, Ph.D., vice president and head of the Engine Research Institute, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated, “HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Altair have continuously collaborated on the development of simulation technologies for high-quality HiMSEN engine designs. With Altair now part of Siemens, the development of next-generation engine design technologies – such as virtual product development and AI-based engine simulation – is expected to further accelerate.”

This partnership addresses regulatory pressure on the shipping industry to reduce environmental impact. With digitalization in shipbuilding, Altair and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will collaborate to apply simulation and AI technology in the development of low-emission marine engines. The focus is on using design tools to support compliance and improve ship system efficiency.

Altair and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will collaborate to:

  • Develop simulation platforms for eco-friendly marine engine design and optimization
  • Utilize AI-powered technologies for improving engine performance
  • Conduct predictive maintenance and diagnostics capabilities
  • Enhance engine safety through AI-based visualization technologies

Altair has proven its technological expertise in simulation-driven design and AI-powered predictive analytics through collaborations with shipbuilders worldwide. With this collaboration, Altair will support HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in advancing eco-friendly marine engines and delivering tangible results in areas such as design efficiency, reduced development cycles, and performance enhancement. Altair will collaborate with Siemens’ industrial software platforms to help improve design processes, reduce development time, and support performance optimization across engineering workflows.

Source: Altair

About Altair

Altair Engineering Inc., founded in 1985 and headquartered in Troy, MI, is a computational science and AI leader. The company offers software and cloud solutions across various domains, including product development, high-performance computing (HPC), simulation, AI, and data analytics. Altair’s comprehensive, open-architecture platforms empower organizations to design efficient and sustainable products and processes. Altair has established itself as a key player in engineering and enterprise analytics, serving the automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing industries.

About HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)

Established in 1972, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI) is a South Korea-based manufacturer specializing in shipbuilding and heavy industrial equipment. Headquartered in Ulsan, HHI operates in several business segments, including shipbuilding, offshore and industrial plant engineering, engine and machinery systems, and energy solutions. The company produces commercial and naval vessels such as LNG carriers, oil tankers, and container ships, as well as marine engines and power generation equipment. It supports a range of industries, including maritime transport, defense, energy, and infrastructure. HHI also designs and builds offshore platforms and process plants for oil and gas operations. With approximately 15,000 employees and 2024 revenue of around USD 10 billion, HHI is a key subsidiary of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. The company continues to provide integrated engineering and manufacturing capabilities for large-scale industrial and marine projects worldwide.

About Siemens Digital Industries Software

Siemens Digital Industries Software delivers integrated tools and services to support digital transformation across engineering and manufacturing workflows. Its offerings help companies streamline product design, optimize manufacturing, and manage operational data more effectively. The company serves sectors such as automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, electronics, and consumer goods. Its work in areas like product lifecycle management (PLM) and manufacturing systems plays a key role in advancing digital continuity and efficiency. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, it operates as a business unit of Siemens AG.