DFFAS+
Background
Japan’s maritime industry is facing serious social challenges, such as the aging of seafarers, with more than half of seafarers being over 50 years old, and human error accounting for 80% of maritime accidents. To address these issues, the realization of fully autonomous ships is highly anticipated.
The fully autonomous ship project, “MEGURI2040”, began in 2020. After completing its first stage, which focused on conducting demonstration tests of fully autonomous ships, it is currently in the second stage. The first stage of MEGURI2040 project demonstrated the feasibility of operating fully autonomous ships by utilizing the necessary element technologies and integrated systems, with the goal of practical implementation by 2025. The second stage focuses on promoting further advances in fully autonomous ship technology and international standardization through a program designed to support the implementation of fully autonomous ships to society.
As a member of the DFFAS+ Consortium, the NYK Group executes the designing, developing, and conducting of demonstration tests for fully autonomous ships while promoting their implementation in society. Additionally, in cooperation with the Nippon Foundation, we aim to strengthen Japan’s maritime industry and improve international competitiveness by standardizing fully autonomous ship technology.
*fully autonomous ship: a ship that can navigate safely (recognize the surrounding environment, such as other ships, analyze, plan, and control) from leaving port to arriving at port without the involvement of navigation officers (on the bridge) depending on the conditions of the sea area and environment, etc.
Objectives
■Demonstration test
In addition to designing next-generation ships that will support the future coastal shipping industry, a demonstration of ship-land operations will be conducted to simulate the future operations supporting fully autonomous ships.
■Standardization of developed technologies
Strengthen Japan’s maritime industry by standardizing the element technologies necessary for fully autonomous ships and incorporating them into international standards/
■Reinforcement of development process infrastructure
Reinforce the development process infrastructure by upgrading simulation technology and generalizing risk assessments to streamline development.
■Implementation in society
Aim for implementation of fully autonomous ships to society by:
- Commercializing autonomous navigation functions,
- Establishing international and domestic rules,
- Promoting human resource development,
- Pursuing deregulation, and
- Examining insurance and freight rate systems.
Consortium member
Related Link
Website of the Nippon Foundation “The Nippon Foundation MEGURI2040 Fully Autonomous Ship Program”