Top Japanese shipyards are collaborating to open a dedicated ship tech research facility at the University of Osaka.
Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United along with ClassNK and MTI, the research arm of Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) are joining forces to establish the Open Collaboration Laboratory for Enabling Advanced Marine Systems (OCEANS) at the Techno Alliance Building within the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Osaka.
“In an era of unprecedented change, driven by rising geopolitical risks, growing awareness of economic security, climate change, the rapid development of technologies such as AI and their social impact, and the aging population in developed countries, the Japanese maritime industry is being called upon to make revolutionary transformation. A major revolution in design and manufacturing processes is needed to quickly supply high-performance next-generation ships that embody innovative functions, excellent environmental performance and safety features, to customers,” stated a release from NYK.
The ultimate goal of this collaborative research program is to establish itself as a leading research and educational hub that drives the global maritime industry forward.