A fully autonomous vessel system is composed of three major elements.

• (1) The ship, which handles autonomous navigation
• (2) Land support that provides support to ships from the land
• (3) Communications (satellite transmissions) that handle communication lines and information management control

In this project, what FURUNO installed was a permanent Fleet Operation Center that handles (2). This center enables remote operation support of multiple ships for the first time in the world. And in the verification experiments starting next year, we plan to provide simultaneous support to four ships. The role we play here is not just monitoring, but also support so the ships can operate safely and efficiently.

The duties of a ship's crew are wide and diverse. A lot of different jobs are conducted on a daily basis, including operation plan formulating, weather information checking, arranging schedules for loading and unloading cargo at ports, and even maintenance for marine navigation gauges and the devices around the engine. Most of these jobs must advance together with individual checks by the ship company and the ship management company, the agency, and ports and harbors, and a great deal of responsibility is placed on the crew. Also, I hear that even when ships arrive at the port exactly on time, they are often forced to wait because of the conditions of other ships.

At the Fleet Operation Center, these tasks are handled on the land. Specifically, we analyze weather and port conditions in real time and formulate optimal operation plans. Also, by remotely monitoring, from land, the condition of marine navigation gauges and engine systems installed on ships and taking appropriate action when necessary, we aim to provide a working environment that is more efficient and safer for the crew.

The major merit of a fully autonomous vessel is an increase in safety and efficiency. Ship control work is automated by the newest technology, such as an object detection system that uses advanced sensors, a route generation system that automatically avoids dangerous areas, and a control system that accurately follows the established route. These technologies immensely reduce the crew workload, and there is a potential to greatly decrease the amount of shipwreck accidents due to human error. Ultimately, we aim for zero shipwreck accidents, and that desire is part of the foundation of this project.

In the process of developing a practical auto ship control system, the standardization of specifications, performance and verification process is also underway. At FURUNO, we are advancing with further digitalization and streamlining of development work, such as verification that uses a simulator based in those standards. Ultimately, we are aiming for a future in which everyone involved in the marine industry can receive the bounty of digital technology, freeing people to concentrate on creative work, which is something only human beings can do.

I believe that the core significance of digitalization lies not only in streamlining, but in a fundamental changing of how we work.

Well, in addition to the technological development side of things, I think the repeated experience of having discussions with the various people who are involved and forming a consensus together will become a major asset for the entire industry. I want to utilize this knowledge in crystalizing operation systems for the future. As a leading company in marine navigation gauges, FURUNO bears the role of data collection and application. Moving forward, it will be important to link with other industries, and design systems that can mesh into society as a whole. While envisioning the far-flung future of Ocean 5.0, we will solve each individual current issue necessary to achieve that. And that balance, the ability to envision the future while tackling present challenges, is our strength.

I believe that the marine transport industry of the future will become easier to work in, more efficient, and more sustainable. While of course we will aim for zero shipwreck accidents through auto ship control, by providing environments that allow small crew ship operation and that facilitate ship control without requiring deep skillsets, worldwide marine transport will be decisively smoother than it currently is. Furthermore, this auto controlled vessel technology will serve as a stepping stone to accelerate digitalization for the entire marine transport industry, and lead an advancement in the optimization and a modal shift for the overall distribution industry, including land transport. What lies ahead in that process is comprehensive management through data and an optimized distribution system that transcends the boundaries between the sea, the land, and the sky.

The world of marine transport that until now has relied on the experience and intuition of people will be transformed into something more detailed and safer using data. And that will definitely contribute to actualizing a more sustainable society.

My hope is that our challenge does not stop with mere technological development, but extends into a step into creating a better future.