July 21, 2023

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

We will participate in the Joint Technological Development Program for the Demonstration of Fully
Autonomous Ships under the MEGURI 2040 Fully Autonomous Ship Project* (hereinafterMEGURI2040) administrated by the Nippon Foundation, as a member of the Designing the Futureof Fully Autonomous Ships Plus consortium (hereinafter DFFAS+),** which comprises 51 companies
based in Japan.
On July 20, the Nippon Foundation held a seminar*** on the MEGURI2040. At the seminar, anoverview of the second stage of MEGURI2040 and the project's initiatives were presented.
This program is positioned as the second stage of MEGURI2040, which started in 2020, and aims forfull-scale commercialization of fully autonomous ship technology by 2025, which was developed inthe "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 ships. The
demonstration will use four different types of ships (a newly built full package container ship;with a fully autonomous navigation function, an existing container ship, a RORO cargo ship
and a remote island route ship; with some autonomous navigation function) and two Fleet
Operation Centers.
2. Standardization of developed technologies
To refine the fully autonomous ship technology developed in the first stage, and bystandardizing these technologies into international standards, to strengthen Japan's maritime
industry and lead the international competition in fully 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 function (including a land-based monitoringsystem) and to establish a certification scheme necessary to commercialize the function.
In addition, to improve the environment for social implementation, we will utilize ourknowledge of technological development to establish international and domestic rules for fullyautonomous ships, examine human resource requirements and training methods toaccommodate 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 freightrates for fully autonomous ships.
Our Approach
We participated in the first stage of MEGURI2040 as a member of the DFFAS Consortium, thepredecessor of DFFAS+, and supervised engineering for retrofit and modification of machinery andequipment necessary for fully autonomous operation as a whole system. In the second stage ofMEGURI2040, we will supervise engineering to equip with machinery and equipment for a newbuilding ship.
In order to solve social issues with coastal shipping industry in Japan, by reducing crew’s workload,
preventing maritime accidents and ensuring maritime transport from/to remote islands, and tosupport stable domestic logistics and transportation infrastructure, the Nippon Foundation,
DFFAS+ participating companies, and domestic and international partner organizations willcontinue to work together toward the commercialization of fully autonomous ships by 2025.
* A subsidization scheme to cultivate further momentum for technological development in the field ofcrewless maritime autonomous surface ships, promoting changes in logistics, economies, and social
infrastructure in Japan, and supporting such technological development through the success of theworld's first crewless autonomous operation trials by domestic coastal vessels.

MEGURI2040 logo

DFFAS+ logo** Companies participating in the DFFAS+ project include Japan Marine Science Inc. (projectleader); 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.; TOKYOKEIKI INC.; TST CORPORATION.; MIRAI R＆D (Research & Development);Nakashima PropellerCo., Ltd.; Nabtesco Corporation; NIHON SHIPYARD CO.,LTD.; Japan Radio Co., Ltd.; NYK Line;The Hanshin Diesel Works, Ltd.; BEMAC Corporation; pluszero, Inc.; FUJIWARA SHIPBUILDINGCO.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.
*** Presentations on technologies and rules for fully autonomous ships and a panel discussion onexpectations and challenges for the commercialization of fully autonomous ships.
https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/who/news/information/2023/20230629-90571.html