On October 1, a groundbreaking R&D project was launched to build a comprehensive simulation platform and demonstrate its application in real-world shipbuilding. The initiative is a joint effort by 10 leading organizations* in the maritime industry, including MTI Co., Ltd., the representative organization and a member of the NYK Group. The project, titled “Development of Integrated Simulation Platform for Sustainable and Competitive Maritime Industry,” has been adopted as an R&D concept by the Japanese government's Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program (K Program), with a five-year duration until September 2030.

In today’s maritime industry, ships must meet increasingly stringent environmental requirements, all the while addressing challenges like a shrinking workforce and expanding demand. This R&D initiative is designed to enable the rapid development and delivery of high-performance next-generation ships.
The project will build an “integrated simulation platform” that models the entire lifecycle of ship design, construction, and operation —including the supply chain. This comprehensive approach aims to optimize ship specifications and construction plans by integrating virtual engineering into the design process.
Furthermore, the platform will incorporate advanced seasonal forecasting technology to predict weather and sea conditions, including extreme events such as typhoons, up to three months in advance. This enhancement is intended to bolster safe vessel operation by providing more accurate environmental forecasts.
This initiative marks a significant leap forward in integrating digital tools with traditional shipbuilding, setting the stage for a more sustainable and competitive maritime future.

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
Tsuneishi Akishima Laboratory Co., Ltd. (formerly Akishima Laboratory Inc.)
The University of Osaka
Kyoto University

Ten organizations have jointly launched a project titled “Development of Integrated Simulation Platform for Sustainable and Competitive Maritime Industry”