Participating in the Second Stage of the Nippon Foundation MEGURI2040 Fully Autonomous Ship Project for Social Implementation

This program is positioned as the second stage of MEGURI2040, which started in 2020, and aims for full-scale commercialization of fully autonomous ship technology by 2025, which was developed in the "Joint Technological Development Program for Demonstration of Fully Autonomous Ship," which was carried out as the first stage, in cooperation with the Nippon Foundation.

Program Overview

The program will aim for full-scale commercialization of fully autonomous ships technology by 2025, with four goals.

1. Demonstration test
   In addition to designing next-generation ships that will support the coastal shipping industry in the future, a demonstration of ship-land operations will be conducted to simulate the future coastal shipping industry that will be supported by fully autonomous ship. The demonstration will use four different types of ships (a newly built full package container ship; with fully autonomous operation system, an existing container ship, a RORO cargo ship and a remote island route ship; with some autonomous operation system) and two Fleet Operation Centers.

   

2. Standardization of developed technologies
   To refine the fully autonomous ship technology developed in the first stage, and by standardizing these technologies into international standards, to strengthen Japan's maritime industry and lead the international competition in autonomous ship technology.
3. Reinforcement of development process infrastructure
   Based on the development process infrastructure established in the first stage, reinforce it further by upgrading simulation technology, generalizing risk assessment, etc.
4. Social Implementation
   To commercialize an autonomous navigation system (including land-based monitoring system) and to establish a certification scheme necessary to commercialize the system.
   In addition, to improve the environment for social implementation, DFFAS+ will utilize their knowledge of technological development to establish international and domestic rules for autonomous ships, examine human resource requirements and training methods to accommodate new working styles, study the use of deregulation and other methods to ensure the continuous commercial use of fully autonomous ships, and examine insurance and freight rates for fully autonomous ships.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Approach

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding participated in stage 1 of MEGURI2040 along with Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd. and successfully completed the world's first demonstration test of fully autonomous navigation for a large ferry on the Iyonada Sea from Shinmoji, Kitakyushu City.

In stage 2, with the aim of further adoption of fully autonomous ships technology for social implementation, further improvement will include the enhancement of functions and the adoption of multiple platforms for SUPER BRIDGE-X, an autonomous navigation function that includes a collision avoidance function, and the development of communication systems, including a low orbit satellite system, and a system for linking onboard data with the cloud.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has set a growth strategy called Marine Future Stream, through which it seeks to develop knowledge about maritime innovation and make those innovations a reality. Its vision is a zero-carbon maritime society built on renewable energy and carbon cycling, where safety and security are achieved through a shift to autonomous electric vessels. The Company will continue to work on MEGURI 2040 with the Nippon Foundation, the companies participating in DFFAS+, and cooperating organizations both in Japan and overseas to put fully autonomous ships technologies to practical use from 2025 onwards. In doing so, it hopes to alleviate worker shortages and reduce staff workloads on Japan's coastal shipping routes, prevent maritime accidents, solve social issues such as the maintenance of remote island shipping routes, and aid in the building of stable infrastructure for domestic logistics and transportation.

• 1 A subsidization scheme to cultivate further momentum for technological development in the field of crewless maritime autonomous surface ships, promoting changes in logistics, economies, and social infrastructure in Japan, and supporting such technological development through the success of the world's first crewless autonomous operation trials by domestic coastal vessels.

• 2 Companies participating in the DFFAS+ project include Japan Marine Science Inc. (project leader); Akasaka Diesels Limited; IKOUS Corporation; Imoto Lines,Ltd.; Weathernews Inc.; Uyeno Transtech Ltd; EIZO Corporation; SK WINCH CO.,LTD.; MTI Co., Ltd.; NX Shipping Co.,Ltd.; NTT Communications Corporation; Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.; KAWASAKI KINKAI KISEN KAISHA,LTD.; KANDA DOCKYARD Co., Ltd.; KYOKUYO SHIPYARD CORPORATION; Kinkai Yusen Kaisha Ltd.; Kokusai Ryobi Ferry Co.,Ltd.; Sunflame Co., Ltd.; Sanwa Dock Co., Ltd.; JRCS Co.Ltd.; JAPAN HAMWORTHY CO.,LTD.; Japan Marine United Corporation; Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.; SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation.; Suzuyo Marine Co., Ltd.; Space Compass Corporation; TERASAKI ELECTRIC CO.,LTD.; Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.; TOKYO KEIKI INC.; TST CORPORATION.; MIRAI R＆D (Research & Development);Nakashima Propeller Co., Ltd.; Nabtesco Corporation; NIHON SHIPYARD CO.,LTD.; Japan Radio Co., Ltd.; NYK Line; The Hanshin Diesel Works, Ltd.; BEMAC Corporation; pluszero, Inc.; FUJIWARA SHIPBUILDING CO.LTD.; FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; Honda Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.; Marindows Inc.; Marubeni Corporation; MIURA CO.,LTD.; Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.; Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited; Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.; Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.; YDK Technologies Co.,Ltd.
• 3Presentations on technologies and rules for fully autonomous ships and a panel discussion on expectations and challenges for the commercialization of fully autonomous ships.
  The Nippon Foundation Fully Autonomous Ship Project MEGURI2040 Seminar on Fully Autonomous Ship

Press releases on fully autonomous ship
January 17, 2022
MEGURI 2040～The Nippon Foundation Fully Autonomous Ship Program～

• Successful Demonstration Test of World’s First Fully Autonomous Ship Navigation Systems on Coastal Ferry in Northern Kyushu