1.3. Research and development

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1 1.3. Research and development This section highlights major developments in 2016 about research activities carried out outside of companies and universities as well as competitive research and development grant projects Japan Ship Technology Research Association (JSTRA) 1) The general incorporated association Japan Ship Technology Research Association (JSTRA) leads strategic R&D activities in Japan to strengthen the international competitiveness and technological foundation of Japan s shipbuilding and marine shipping industries. The JSTRA aims to deal with technological challenges these industries are facing in the areas of distribution efficiency, maritime safety and environmental conservation. Major projects initiated by the JSTRA in FY 2016 are listed below. In addition to these projects, the JSTRA also engages in industry needs-based studies and project development, including incubation support. a) Development of Power Assisting Suits for shipbuilding In the previous project on possible application of Power Assisting Suits carried out from FY 2014 to FY 2015, researchers learned that there is a strong need for Power Assisting Suits among shipyard workers when they engage in work that makes them look upward all the time in an unnatural posture, such as welding, grinding, flame straightening and coating. Researchers asked workers to try on Power Assisting Suits for other industrial sectors, which are either under development or already available in the market. By analyzing the results of this attempt and assessing labor load and safety conditions on the part of workers wearing them, researchers had a clear understanding of functions necessary for Power Assisting Suits for shipyard workers. In the new project, they are currently developing a prototype suit based on the outcome of the previous project. b) Project to commercialize video monitoring systems In the previous project to study ways to improve the quality and efficiency of shipbuilding (the project to examine a shipbuilding process management system), which continued from FY 2012 through FY 2014, researchers came up with a system to monitor shipyard workers and work processes using video images. Under the current project, they are considering integrating this monitoring system with data obtained from accelerometers, Wi-Fi, the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) readers so that a new comprehensive monitoring scheme will allow the identification of people, objects, work and actions. The goal is to commercialize a complete factory visualization system by utilizing an advanced monitoring system at shipyards. c) Project to develop laser arc hybrid welding of thick plates In the previous project, researchers had carried out weld seam tracking and laser arc hybrid welding separately. However, they developed a device that combines the two elements. Using this, they are currently conducting comprehensive demonstration tests for full penetration welding on long plates (up to five meters) from one side in T joints as well as work to produce butt joints. Although laser cutting is most common when it comes to cutting, researchers are considering the applicability of gas cutting and plasma cutting to offer welding workers greater practicality. d) Project to study Fracture Pass Deviation (FPD) in the process of laser arc hybrid welding 1

2 In the case of laser arc hybrid welding, weld metal is generally hard and narrow, and this can cause Fracture Pass Deviation (FPD) to occur at the time of Charpy testing of laser welds. When FPD occurs, the fracture path to the weld metal deviates to parent metal, making it difficult for the energy absorbed in this process to represent the toughness of the weld. To resolve this issue, researchers carried out Charpy testing using relevant publications as a reference point and analyzed the results of the test. By doing so, they established a way to assess the toughness of welds made by the laser arc hybrid method. e) Fundamental study of 3D printers for their introduction into the marine and shipbuilding sectors in the future. 3D printing is one of technologies that offer great hope for future manufacturing. Under this project, researchers are highlighting technical challenges facing the marine and shipbuilding sectors when they introduce 3D printing. They are also keeping an eye on the trend on its advanced usage and technological development, and focusing on identifying priority areas to tackle these challenges. f) Project to develop a loading system for liquid hydrogen and loading rules To meet enormous demand for hydrogen in the future, there is a need to establish a hydrogen supply chain. This chain includes the production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources and brown coal that Japan can purchase from overseas at a low cost, and its liquefaction and transport into Japan. This project aims to develop a loading system for liquid hydrogen and establish rules for loading this material. g) Project to examine revolutionary future marine technologies Researchers are compiling fundamental data to discuss the future direction of revolutionary marine technologies, including new production technologies. They base their ongoing activities on the results of a study about shipbuilding and marine technologies conducted up until FY 2015 and interviews with scientists and engineers about the results. h) Fundamental research to move into new ocean frontiers Japan has accumulated advanced technologies about offshore floating facilities based on its shipbuilding technology. Currently, oil and gas are rather produced further from the shore at greater depth. Furthermore, the sectors and areas where Japan can make a great contribution through its excellent offshore floating technologies are expanding. They include offshore wind farms and attempts to capitalize on ocean energy, such as tidal power, wave power and ocean currents. This research intends to carry out a fundamental study about sectors and areas that can take advantage of Japan s technology about offshore floating facilities. It also aims to provide Japanese companies that have strong technological skills with concrete business opportunities in this area. i) Project to upgrade structural designs of high speed boats Currently, Japan s structural standards for high speed boats cover vessels with up to 50 meters in length only. Under this project, researchers review the standards with the aim of broadening their coverage and keep up with the emergence of high speed boats with new structural designs. They believe that the review will help Japan s shipbuilding and passenger ship sectors increase their competitiveness. 2

3 j) Project to study ballast tank anti-corrosion technologies This project is designed to improve performance standards of anti-corrosion systems in ballast tanks and cut costs for these systems while reducing environmental loads. Researchers are working with shipbuilders, marine shipping companies and paint and steel manufacturers to develop corrosion resistant steel and anti-corrosive coatings that can replace epoxy resin coatings. k) Project to promote the Hong Kong Convention While the EU Ship Recycling Regulation has been brought into force, Japan is considering ratifying the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships and moving to develop a domestic legal framework for the Convention. In order to respond to these developments at home and abroad, researchers are promoting a campaign to inform domestic shipping companies and shipbuilders of the Convention. They also deepen their knowledge of Japan s efforts to create legal and systemic frameworks for the Convention, and continue to provide information about these developments to industry people. By doing so, researchers contribute to the content of inventories of hazardous materials the JSTRA makes and its process to prepare these inventories. As the EU Ship Recycling Regulation is applied to Japanese fishing boats calling in the EU, operators of these boats to be sent for recycling are required to carry these inventories. Under such circumstances, researchers are initiating a campaign to give information about inventories to such operators and helping support the creation of inventories Japan Ship Machinery and Equipment Association (JSMEA) 2) The general incorporated association Japan Ship Machinery and Equipment Association (JSMEA) carries out activities designed to address environmental issues and activate R&D efforts. In FY 2016, the JSMEA led the following four environmental initiatives. a) Energy saving initiative The JSMEA monitored progress in its low carbon society action plan designed to cut CO2 emissions in the marine engine manufacturing sector and carried out follow-up activities to contribute to efforts to protect the global environment. b) Response to asbestos regulations The JSMEA came up with a system in cooperation with the Japanese Government and inspection bodies to prove that devices and equipment produced by JSMEA member companies do not contain asbestos. It distributed JSMEA stickers on the non-use of asbestos to its members and promoted this campaign. c) Initiative to respond to ship recycling The JSMEA participated in a working group, established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure Transport and Tourism (MLIT) on possible ratification of the Hong Kong Convention. At meetings of the working group, the JSMEA joined discussions about how to develop a legal framework in Japan to comply with the Convention and relevant guidelines. It also engaged in a campaign to spread information about the Convention. 3

4 d) Initiative to meet ballast water management regulations The JSMEA conveyed industry opinions to the Japanese Government about the creation of documents related to the IMO s International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention). It offered technical support to businesses and provide information about the Convention. As an initiative to give an impetus to research activities, the JSMEA also supports projects intended to encourage the development of new products. In FY 2016, it implemented the following four initiatives, with financial support from the Nippon Foundation, in an attempt to develop new products that can contribute to strengthening Japan s international competitiveness and digging out new demand. a) Technological development of ship-board temperature sensors for liquid hydrogen and temperature monitoring systems (FY ) This project intends to develop marine temperature sensors for liquid hydrogen that can gauge the ultra low temperature of minus 253 degree centigrade and relevant temperature monitoring systems. In FY 2016, researches designed and produced a real-life prototype marine temperature sensor for liquid hydrogen and built and trialed a temperature monitoring system. b) Technological development of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) pumps (impellers and casings) (FY ) This project is designed to develop fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) centrifugal pumps to improve pumping efficiency and reduce the weight of pumps. In FY 2016, researchers designed and manufactured horizontal and vertical FRP prototypes and conducted their performance tests. c) Technological development of mud pumps for offshore drilling rigs (FY ) The purpose of this project is to develop a reliable, easy-maintenance and inexpensive low pressure mud pump system for offshore drilling rigs. In FY 2016, researchers produced their first prototype pump, and designed and manufactured a testing device. d) Technological development of smart power meters for marine applications (FY2016) In this project, researchers engaged in the development of a smart power meter for marine applications, which makes onboard power consumption visible and allows optimized power control, together with data collection and communication functions. Other than projects explained above, the JSMEA conducted the following two feasibility studies in FY 2016, as a way to create the environment that can facilitate the development of new products. Research on shock absorbers for single rope grab buckets for marine purposes Research on non-mercury exhaust gas thermometers In addition to projects mentioned above, the JSMEA launched a new study group on smart navigation systems. The group followed up on ideas about international standards proposed by the JSMEA and developed a comprehensive information system in collaboration with end-user industries Project to provide financial assistance to R&D on advanced technology 4

5 for safety of vessels and shipbuilding 3) The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has been initiating a project to provide financial assistance to R&D on advanced technology for safety of vessels and shipbuilding between FY 2016 and 2020 (TBC). The project is part of the ministry s wider efforts to promote i-shipping, a concept designed to create innovation and improve productivity by utilizing information and technology in all phases of maritime activities, including ship designs, construction and navigation. In FY 2016, the MLIT carried out the following 11 projects. Study of ship collision risk and autonomous ship operation Research and development on hulls structural health monitoring for large container vessels Development of automated observation and transmission systems for maritime meteorological observation Increasing analysis accuracy by the automatic correction function with hull property model and applying it to safety operation Development of methods to improve safety and save costs through the prevention of marine engine plant accidents using big data Research and development on connecting deck machinery on cargo ships and bulk carriers to the Internet of Things (IoT) Research and development on a technology to support safe delivery of liquified natural gas (LNG) using communication between ships and land stations Development of a system to coordinate actions taken by four welding robots with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) functions Development of a technology to monitor and manage workers in the shipbuilding process Development of a prototype of SPEEDS, an infrastructure for multilayer interoperability (IMI), for sophisticated use of product information in the maritime industry Development of a technology to increase efficiency in the outfitting process by introducing transparency and visibility in shipbuilding Development Support Project regarding Marine Resource Development 4) Amid the rapid growth of the global market for marine resource development, the MLIT has been carrying out the Development Support Project regarding Marine Resource Development in FY The main goal of the project is to vitalize Japan s maritime industry and increase Japan s international competitiveness in the sector by promoting R&D about marine resources. In FY2016, the MLIT implemented the following eight existing projects. Development of dynamic positioning systems (DPS) for offshore support vessels Development of a technology in systematizing marine propulsion equipment for offshore support vessels Development of maintenance technologies for autonomous underwater vehicle facilities Development of marine engines that can run on a combination of oil and gas to be installed on offshore ships Development of high endurance paint with thick film self-diagnostic protecting coatings for offshore ships Development of LNG transfer hoses for offshore ships Development of next generation DPS systems Development of marine LNG liquefaction systems for floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facilities 5

6 1.3.5 Project to promote energy saving for domestically operating ships 5) The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) within the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) are leading jointly a project to improve fuel efficiency when maritime transport equipment is in use (project to promote energy saving for ships that operate on inland waterways). The project intends to promote energy saving efforts by domestic shipping operators by collecting operational data of energy efficient ships based on ship types and shipping routes and sharing their energy-saving effects widely among operators. In FY 2016, the following six projects were implemented. Project to conserve energy through the introduction of energy efficient technologies and facilities for roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cargo ships Energy saving demonstration project using large domestically operating ferries Energy saving demonstration project using large new RORO cargo ships that have derated electronically controlled main engines Energy saving demonstration project for carbon propeller propulsion systems on liquified gas ships Energy saving demonstration project for propulsion systems consisting of two engines and two shafts located close to each other on passenger ferries Energy saving demonstration project using domestically operating container ships that have carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) propellers and sharper bows. The two government organizations also carried out jointly a project to improve fuel efficiency when maritime transport equipment is in use (project to develop standard energy saving vessels). In FY 2016, they implemented the following project. Research and development on energy efficient ship types for inland operations National Maritime Research Institute (MMRI) 6) The national research and development agency National Maritime Research Institute (MMRI) has been carrying out its first mid to long term plan that covers the FY period in accordance with the Act on General Rules for Independent Administrative Agency. In this plan, the MMRI prioritizes its research and development challenges in order to deal with policy issues related to maritime administration in an appropriate manner. As FY 2016 represents the first year of the new mid-term plan, the author will only outline below research themes the MMRI covers. Many of these projects are being carried out in collaboration with other research organizations. Details of these projects are available online in research reports 7) and annual reports on operational results 8). a) Safety of marine transport 1) Research on developing assessment system necessary for advanced methods to assess loads and structural strength and creating new structural standard proposals Developing an integrated platform to assess loads and structural strength (including future assessment methods described below), and coming up with new structural standard proposals Developing a system to assess strongly nonlinear load and a method to set worst and extreme maritime weather conditions Developing a method to assess fatigue strength by combining a technology to assess the growth of fatigue cracks under two shaft load conditions with knowledge about the pattern of fatigue crack growth 6

7 Developing a method to estimate wave impact loads and a technique to assess final and residual strength based on a technology to measure elastic response of the hull under extreme marine weather conditions as well as fluid-structure interaction analysis with the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the particle method Developing a method to design accidental limit state (ALS), a system to assess the reliability of the hull s final strength and a multi-physics nonlinear analysis system. 2) Research on developing hull structure monitoring system contributing to advanced methods to assess loads and structural strength Drawing up assessment guidelines for maneuvering support systems by developing a hull structure monitoring system that has strong links between structural designs and ship navigation. Producing guidelines for hull structure monitoring systems Developing a mechanism to send feedback to structural strength assessment making the use of data stored by a monitoring system 3) Research on developing a risk assessment method for designing ships carrying liquified hydrogen or vessels fired by low flash point fuels Developing risk assessment methods for ships carrying new cargoes or fuels and their maritime transport (including the following elements) - Clarifying hazards and necessary measures regarding new cargoes or fuels - Method to estimate the spread of combustible gas in the case of leakage and the scope of damage - Method to assess cost effectiveness of safety measures to be implemented Preparing a draft of safety guidelines for ships carrying new cargoes or fuels and a draft of risk-based guidelines for ship designs 4) Research on developing method to assess manoeuvrability required for safe navigation and introducing operational standards Identifying requirements for maneuverability of ships to avoid collisions and developing relevant guidelines Establishing a method to assess maneuverability of ships under rough weather conditions and developing a draft of guidelines about required minimum engine output levels and navigational safety 5) Research on developing accident analysis and prevention technologies conducive to prevention of accidents at sea Developing a device to prompt evasive action and an automated system to avoid collisions in emergency with greater braking capability and improved turning operability Developing a navigation support system for small boats Developing a technology to analyze hull movement through telemetry to allow sea pilots to understand possible risks during navigation Establishing guidelines to ensure the safety of ships when they are damaged 6) Research on sophisticating maritime traffic flow simulation, considering new safety measures based on this technology and coming up with method to assess its influence Creating tools necessary to identify issues facing the current traffic situation and set safety goals 7

8 Developing a method to design rules on traffic flow control in relatively busy sea lanes Predicting sea traffic when regulations on traffic flow control are put into practice, and examining possible establishment of an safety assessment index for such occasions Drawing up new regulations on traffic flow control in actual sea areas b) Preservation of the marine environment 1) Research on designing the concept of regulations on air pollution from ships and developing regulatory methods Developing particulate matter (PM) emission factors and compositional profiles that reflect emission characteristics of the PM when it is released from operating ships based on data on the substance emitted from actual ships Presenting fuel and navigation conditions that will lower the contribution of emissions of black carbon (BC) and PM concentrations from ships to air pollution, based on the results of air quality simulation calculations in busy sea lanes Assessing the performance of an actual fuel economy index, which is essential for the implementation of the data collection system (DCS), as part of measures against global warming, and proposing a best practice method to measure and gain knowledge of fuel consumption rates during ship operations. 2) Research on developing next generation EEDI and EEOI and establishing technology to improve operational performance of ships under actual sea conditions Establishing calculation methods for the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI) that take the effect of rough wave conditions into consideration in an appropriate manner Developing a simulation tool for sophisticated weather adaptive navigation (WAN) Establishing methods to assess fuel economy and navigational skills during ship operations Developing ways to utilize technologies designed to improve fuel economy for navigation and design of ships 3) Research on developing an automatic adaptation and control system used for marine propulsion plants under real operational circumstances taking advantage of water tank tests Developing a mathematical model used for multiple applications that can reflect the characteristics of propulsion plants with minimum parameters Developing a method to calculate response from marine propulsion plants on ships operating under real operational circumstances Developing a technology to identify a mathematical model for propulsion plants with parameters of propulsion plants measured aboard operating ships Developing a basic design tool for propulsion plants Developing a smart power control technology with the use of an automated adaptation system that works in line with operational circumstances for marine propulsion plants on ships operation 4) Research on sophisticating next generation CFD technologies for assessment of ships overall performance Developing software with the following characteristics - It is possible to calculate resistance, propulsion and manoeuvrability performance under normal 8

9 sea conditions - It is possible to optimize the shapes of the hull and energy-saving systems by combining computer-aided design (CAD), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and optimization methods - It is possible to estimate the performance of hybrid energy saving systems that feature practical appearance in combination with propeller models - It is possible to analyze resistance, propulsion and manoeuvrability performance under wave conditions - It is possible to simulate hull movement under extreme wave conditions, including capsizing and broaching 5) Research on developing marine energy saving technologies by controlling surface flow around the hull Developing a system to control the ship s wake by utilizing changes in stern shapes, appropriate additions, boundary layer suction and blowing systems in a comprehensive way Developing a method to design the location and shape of propellers based on interference effects between swirling flow and propellers, a scheme to design the hull on the upstream side of propellers and a pre swirl stator type energy saving device and a method to design a post swirl energy saving device and rudders that can recover swirl energy produced by propellers Developing a device to prevent air bubbles used by air lubrication systems from reaching the propeller surface, and by using it, optimizing the location of an air outlet, additional energy saving systems and the shape of the hull Developing a technology to reduce energy loss caused by air input by utilizing a system to control turbulent flows Developing a technology to reduce frictional resistance by managing a flow of water meeting the hull surface with the use of a technology to control turbulent bound layers in dynamic and static ways 6) Research on developing new marine power systems using various energy sources Developing methods to assess marine systems powered by hydrogen energy and other mechanisms utilizing diverse energy sources, including lithium ion battery systems and electric propulsion systems Developing a scheme to assess the safety of various marine power systems 7) Research on upgrading technologies to reduce NOx and SOx emitted from ships Developing an exhaust gas treatment system that intends to reduce a burden on the environment in a comprehensive manner by processing exhaust gas and waste water at the same time Developing a technology to improve combustion efficiency of engines that can use fuels complying with SOx emission regulations Developing design tools for integrated exhaust gas treatment systems Proposing next generation engine rooms 8) Research on developing systems to measure and reduce black carbon and particulate matter emitted from ships Establishing a scheme to measure BC, PM and PM2.5 precursor emissions from ships, and based on the results of this attempt, creating data on marine emissions of these substances and proposing a measurement protocol Developing a system to eliminate BC and PM that can apply to a variety of fuels and power systems, 9

10 and producing performance assessment and design tools 9) Research on establishing technologies to assess the impact of shipping activities on ecosystems Drawing up appropriate and sensible measures to curb the transfer of aquatic organisms attached to hulls, and contributing to a review of management guidelines Assessing anti-fouling technologies to protect sea chests and other niche areas, and storing technological data in case that it is needed for discussions at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Developing a technology to estimate underwater noise levels from ships, and building technological data to comply with regulations on underwater noise from ships 10) Research on measures to manage leaks of oil and harmful substances from ships Proposing the creation of an oil fence that can contain oil spill (or a new oil leak prevention device) under rough maritime weather conditions Carrying out experiments to make oil particles finer and improve oil liquidity using phreatic explosions and other means for the purpose of increasing efficiency in recovering high viscosity fuel oil staying inside stranded ships, and setting conditions necessary for effective recovery of spilled oil Proposing a method to assess the impact of radioactive materials released into the ocean on the environment after a transport container filled with such materials is sunk into the sea Building an infrastructure to calculate and simulate diffusion in the ocean that is applicable to various substances (oil, harmful chemicals, radioactive materials and so on) and shipping operations both in enclosed areas and the open sea c) Ocean development 1) Research on developing basic technologies for marine renewable energy, creating method to assess safety in relation to ocean development and inventing technologies to accelerate development Developing a power generation device that can maximize safety and performance Developing technological tools for certification and the StageGateProcess Developing a group of technological tools used at demonstration fields Developing tools for a coupled load analysis of a floating wind turbine system that will ensure its safety with adjusted margins Developing a blade pitch control system for floating structures that will contribute to their safety and ensure quality and sufficient power supply Developing a practical method to monitor floating structures that will help reduce costs for safety inspection and maintenance Developing tools to consider the optimized location of wind farms that will contribute to their safety and ensure quality and sufficient power supply 2) Research on developing technologies to assess the overall safety of integrated marine resource and energy development systems Developing methods to assess the safety and availability of marine operations of the entire system to be commercialized for development of submarine hydrothermal polymetallic ore Developing a program to support the underwater and overall systems to be commercialized for development of submarine hydrothermal polymetallic ore 10

11 Developing a technology to design mooring and riser systems used under harsh operational circumstances and a method to assess their safety Developing a technology to assess the safety and health of technologies to install the SURF system Developing a technology to assess the overall safety and availability of integrated systems used under harsh operational circumstances for development of undersea energy, and producing technical guidelines about their safety for classification societies and other organizations 3) Research on developing technologies to support project certification related to development of marine resources Developing criteria for health, safety and environment (HSE) certification for marine structures, and drawing up draft amendments to guidelines for floating liquified natural gas (FLNG) and floating storage and regasification units (FSRU), certification guidelines and manuals Developing support technologies, which serve as a basis for HSE certification for marine structures, including Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) analysis tools, risk assessment methods and integrated simulators 4) Research on developing basic and operational technologies for systems designed to develop and explore marine resources Developing prototypes of wide-area exploration systems that will use multiple small autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), including small navigation type AUVs, small hovering-type AUVs, autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) and charging and lifting recovery equipment Developing an operational technology for wide-area exploration systems Developing technologies to plan wide-area exploration systems and set their specifications d) Development of basic technologies to support marine transportation 1) Research on building new production systems to strengthen competitiveness of the shipbuilding sector and respond to the needs of an ageing population with fewer children Developing a shipbuilding monitoring system as part of efforts to develop the Internet of Things (IoT) system for the shipbuilding sector Coming up with measures to be taken at production sites to improve productivity by 20 percent, including lead time reduction and time spent with torches Developing new shipbuilding interfaces using wearable and other devices Developing power assist suits and robots for shipbuilding Proposing new concept-based shipbuilding processes that factor in the use of unskilled and part-time workers Implementing model projects at shipyards Developing training and skills enhancement programs for untapped workers 2) Research on using new materials that can meet emerging needs, including measures to control noise in ships Developing reliable design techniques that incorporate new structural specifications and construction methods for composite materials that can reduce noise, and drawing up guidelines for the introduction of these materials Improving the current noise prediction method by building a neural network model, and developing a 11

12 more advanced noise prediction technology that can apply to diverse ship types 3) Research on support technologies, including monitoring systems for inter-continental autonomous navigation and maintenance free operation backed by marine information and communication technologies (ICT) Developing a concept for autonomous navigation systems Prototyping an autonomous navigation system based on ocean route planning and multi-stage evading navigation systems Establishing an integrated sensing technology using multiple sensors and data sources to detect navigation obstacles Establishing a power system concept that can save or reduce maintenance so that ships can operate autonomously Prototyping a land-based autonomous navigation monitoring system Developing a method to assess the effectiveness of simulators incorporating the autonomous navigation function, and autonomous navigation systems that can be installed in ships 4) Research on greater efficiency and optimization of maritime distribution that takes integrated land and sea transportation systems into account Developing a method to assess the effectiveness of the introduction of seamless transportation systems, including car ferries piggybacking buses and vehicles with passengers, and small boats piggybacking buses that can guarantee seamless transportation In addition to projects explained above, the MMRI carries out many projects in a variety of areas, including hydrodynamics, environment and oceans by receiving financial support for scientific research or outsourcing projects to the private sector. References 1) Japan Ship Technology Research Association website 2) Japan Ship Machinery and Equipment Association website 3) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Project to provide financial assistance to R&D on advanced technology for safety of vessels and shipbuilding ) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Development Support Project regarding Marine Resource Development 5) Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Subsidy for the project to improve fuel efficiency when maritime transport equipment is in use - the project to improve fuel efficiency when maritime transport equipment is in use (project to promote energy saving for ships that operate on inland waterways) Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 12

13 Subsidy for the project to improve fuel efficiency when maritime transport equipment is in use - the project to improve fuel efficiency when maritime transport equipment is in use (project to develop standard energy saving vessels) 6) National Maritime Research Institute 7) National Maritime Research Institute, Research Reports dex.html 8) National Maritime Research Institute, Reports on Operational Results (Written by Hideyuki Shirota) 13