“Development of Integrated Simulation Platform for Sustainable and Competitive Maritime Industry” has been selected as a R&D project under K Program

Ten institutions, including Kyoto University, have jointly proposed a research and development initiative under the Economic Security Critical Technology Development Program (K Program).

 

The proposed project, titled “Development of an Integrated Simulation Platform for a Sustainable and Competitive Maritime Industry” (tentative title), is part of the broader research concept: “Advanced Environmental Forecasting Technology with High Resolution and Accuracy to Support the Development of High-Performance Next-Generation Ships Using Digital Technologies and Ensure Stable Maritime Operations.”

 

This proposal has been officially selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

 

Further details are provided below.

 

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July 8th, 2025

MTI Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
Japan Marine United Corporation
Mitsui E&S Co., Ltd.
National Maritime Research Institute
Akishima Laboratory Inc.
The University of Osaka
Kyoto University

 

“Development of Integrated Simulation Platform for Sustainable and Competitive Maritime Industry”

has been selected as a R&D project under K Program

 

MTI Co., Ltd. (a NYK Group company), Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Japan Marine United Corporation, Mitsui E&S Co., Ltd., National Maritime Research Institute, Akishima Laboratory Inc., Graduate School of Engineering The University of Osaka and Kyoto University cooperatively proposed a project “Development of Integrated Simulation Platform for Sustainable and Competitive Maritime Industry” and the project has been selected by JST, Japan Science and Technology Agency. It aims at to realize the R&D Concept of “Digital technology for designing and constructing next generation cargo ship” and “High resolution, high precision weather forecasting technology for stable ship operation” set out in the Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program (K Program) of Japanese Government.

 

K Program promotes research and development, as well as the utilization of its outcomes, for advanced and critical technologies that are essential for Japan to maintain a solid position in the international community over the medium to long term. As one of the projects undertaken in the K Program, we aim of securing world-leading next generation ship development, design and construction capabilities, and ensuring safe marine transportation in accordance with the R&D vision identified by Council for Promotion of Integrated Innovation Strategy and the R&D Concept set out by Japan’s Cabinet Office and MEXT, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

 

1. Project Title:
“Development of Integrated Simulation Platform for Sustainable and Competitive Maritime Industry”
*The project title could be changed at a later stage

 

 

2. Project Leader:
Hideyuki ANDO, Director of MTI Co., Ltd.

 

 

3. Project outline:
The focus of ship demand will shift toward high-performance next-generation ships that adopt alternative fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy-saving technologies such as wind propulsion, and advanced integrated control systems including autonomous navigation. Japan’s maritime industry faces the challenge of developing and supplying next-generation ships with increasingly sophisticated and complex functions in shorter lead time, while also expanding its shipbuilding capacity to meet growing global demand amid a declining labor force.
To address this, this research and development project will establish an “Integrated Simulation Platform” that enables simultaneous consideration of ship lifecycle and supply chain, at the initial development and design stages, to optimize ship design and construction plans. This project will promote the implementation of virtual engineering concept and techniques into the maritime industry.
Additionally, regarding weather and sea condition predictions that impact the safe and stable ship operations, a seasonal prediction technology, covering 1 to 3 months in advance, including extreme phenomena such as typhoons, will be developed and integrated into the platform.

 

 

4. Project period: 5 years
*The project will start after the Program Director approves the project plan.

 

 

5. Project budget: Maximum JPY 12 billion
*The total budget in the entire R&D Concept

 

6. Contact information:
MTI Co., Ltd.
JCAST Project Management Office under K Program
E-mail: MTI.ML.JCAST_Admin@monohakobi.com

 

7. Related links:
i. JST Press Releases (in Japanese)
ii. Japan’s Cabinet Office: R&D Concept (in Japanese)“Digital technology for designing and building next generation cargo ships” and “High resolution, high precision weather forecasting technology for stable ship operation”