Japanese Shipbuilders Unite to Launch Marine Tech Lab

Leading Japanese shipyards and maritime organizations are partnering to create a new advanced maritime technology research center at Osaka University. 

Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United (JMU), ClassNK, and MTI—NYK Line’s research division—are collaborating to launch the Open Collaboration Laboratory for Enabling Advanced Marine Systems (OCEANS). The new lab will be housed within the Techno Alliance Building at the university’s Graduate School of Engineering. 

“In an era of unprecedented change, driven by rising geopolitical risks, growing awareness of economic security, climate change, the rapid development of technologies such as AI and their social impact, and the aging population in developed countries, the Japanese maritime industry is being called upon to make revolutionary transformation. A major revolution in design and manufacturing processes is needed to quickly supply high-performance next-generation ships that embody innovative functions, excellent environmental performance and safety features, to customers,” stated a release from NYK. 

OCEANS is intended to serve as a world-class center for research and education, aimed at accelerating innovation in shipbuilding and marine systems. The initiative hopes to foster breakthroughs in areas such as sustainable ship design, automation, and digital integration, strengthening Japan’s role in the future of global maritime technology.