Japan News

The new version of KaizenWEG, developed with low-code technologies and artificial intelligence, strengthens participative management and drives a global culture of collaborative innovation. WEG has reached a historic milestone with the implementation of 300,000 kaizens since 2016 through KaizenWEG, its global continuous improvement platform. This impressive number reinforces the key role of employees in finding simple and effective solutions that positively impact the company’s proce...

Multi-party collaboration addresses serious threat to safety of navigation and visibility of high-value assets in degraded and compromised Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) environments. Threats to GPS and GNSS signals, such as spoofing, jamming and other interference are reaching unprecedented levels worldwide. Security risks for crews In some regions, maritime authorities have reported a 350% increase in affected vessels over the past six months,...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the maritime cybersecurity support solution, “CYTUR-MCTI” developed by CYTUR and its partner company Rakuten Symphony. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology with innovat...

Econowind has received a repeat order from Terntank for the installation of eight VentoFoil units on two additional methanol-ready hybrid tankers. Following the initial order in May 2023 for three newbuilds, this brings the total to five vessels and 20 VentoFoils, with each ship fitted with four 16-meter wind wings. IMO 2050 targets The vessels are designed for zero-emission operations and fully aligned with the IMO 2050 targets The first vessel, Tern Vik, was delivered in April 2025 by Chi...

Following the announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT) of a sixth round of the UK SHORE ‘Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition’ earlier this year, the winners have now been announced. CMDC6 sees £30million of funding made available across three strands focused on pre-deployment trials, feasibility studies, and smart shipping. Mersey Maritime hosted a special CMDC6 industry briefing with representatives from the DfT, Innovate UK, and Innovate UK Business Connect on...

2M Logistics Holding B.V. (NL) and the internationally operating Gallozzi Group (Italy) have entered into a strategic partnership. As business partners, both parties will collaborate closely on commercial initiatives, with 2M Logistics assuming the representation of GFLogisticsNL in the Benelux region. Through this partnership, 2M (which started operations in February 2024 and immediately undertook a series of strategic acquisitions in the transport industry) gains direct access to the Gallozz...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the maritime cybersecurity support solution, ‘CYTUR-MCTI’ developed by CYTUR and its partner company - Rakuten Symphony. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology with innov...

Watson Farley & Williams ("WFW") advised Pacific Basin Shipping ("Pacific Basin") on a US$250m sustainability-linked seven-year senior secured committed revolving credit facility. The facility will be used for general corporate purposes, supporting Pacific Basin’s growth strategy and sustainability ambitions. This sustainability-linked facility incorporates a tiered pricing mechanism, where the interest margin adjusts based on Pacific Basin’s performance against predetermin...

Alva Industries (Alva), a manufacturer of frameless motors and owner and creator of FiberPrinting technology, has announced the publication of a series of new white papers on FiberPrinted motors for high-performance applications.  FiberPrinting technology is an advanced industrial winding technique used for the continuous winding of stator mats in slotless and ironless rotary and linear motors. This method maximises copper fill factor and enables precise customisation of size and stator...

DNV has awarded a General Approval for Ship Application (GASA) certificate to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., (MOL), MISC Berhad (MISC), PETRONAS CCS Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (PCCSV), and Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI), for their jointly developed 62,000 cubic metres (cbm) liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier design. This milestone builds upon an Approval in Principle (AiP) awarded by DNV in 2023 and highlights the growing role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Asia&rsqu...

ClassNK has released 'ClassNK Technical Journal No.11 2025 (Ⅰ)'. This issue features the title 'Latest Technological Trends for Protection of the Marine Environment', providing the particularly well-received presentations on 'Underwater Noise from Ships' and 'Safe Decarbonisation’ from 'ClassNK R&D Forum 2025', which was attended by more than 200 participants. 'ClassNK Technical Journal', has been published to contribute to the advancement of technology and society through the outcome...

RAD Propulsion, a globally renowned innovator in electric marine propulsion systems, announced the expansion of its international dealer network with new strategic partnerships in the Netherlands, India and Japan.  This move is a testament of RAD’s commitment to accelerate the global shift towards smart, clean, and efficient boating. Traditional combustion engine Energyboats will serve as RAD's official dealer in the Netherlands, focusing precisely on Benelux region Energyboats wi...

As maritime companies digitise, decarbonise, and expand across continents, standing out in the market has never been more challenging. Customers expect clarity. Talent is scarce. And lead generation takes more than a good product. It requires creativity, consistency, and the right message at the right time. To meet that demand, maritime marketing agency Getting the Market has opened an office in Singapore to support clients across Asia. Latest BIMCO/ICS report These combined forces are makin...

Watson Farley & Williams advised ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch—acting as arranger, lender and facility and security agent — on a term loan facility provided to Tank Container Investment Fund Pte. Ltd. (“TCIF”), a subsidiary of a sub-fund managed by FPG AIM Capital Pte. Ltd. (“FAC”), for the acquisition of stainless-steel tank containers. The facility — FAC’s first fund financing — includes an accordion option for potential upsizing and...

LOOKOUT, the AI pioneer in marine safety, launched enhanced benefits to marine professionals through its preferred dealer and installer programme. The new resources help LOOKOUT dealers and installers grow their business and ensure LOOKOUT customers continue to experience excellent service with their award-winning AI system. AI marine vision LOOKOUT's AI marine vision system helps boaters detect obstacles, vessels, and hazards that human vision might miss in low light or busy harbours. Deale...

A new advanced simulation suite supplied by technology group Wärtsilä for the Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM) maritime training institute was inaugurated on 17 July 2025. ALAM is the training arm of MISC (Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Berhad), a subsidiary of Petronas group. The integration of Wärtsilä’s latest simulator technology significantly raises the level of maritime education for the region, creating a new generation of highly skilled and proficient...

Alfa Laval announces that Martijn Bergink has been appointed President of the Marine Division, effective 1 September 2025. This is in addition to his current roles as President of Business Unit Pumping Systems in the Marine Division and Managing Director of Framo, an Alfa Laval-owned company. Martijn Bergink joined Alfa Laval in 1998 and, since then, he has held multiple senior leadership positions within the company, mostly in the Marine Division. Enhancing energy efficiency Martijn will co...

Hefring Marine, the pioneer in intelligent marine analytics, announces the launch of its latest innovation: the Impact Report, a powerful new feature that delivers unprecedented visibility into vessel impact events, helping maritime professionals make smarter, safer decisions at sea. This advanced analytics solution enhances marine safety technology by equipping fleet managers and operators with detailed insights into impact events that may affect vessel integrity, crew safety, and operational...

ABS Wavesight, the ABS-affiliated software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, has been chosen by Navios Maritime Partners L.P. to provide a single integrated platform to support compliance with the FuelEU Maritime Regulation and EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) requirements. As of January 1, 2025, companies with ships calling on EU ports must collect and report key fuel-related data in preparation for EU submission deadlines. The ABS Wavesight platform offers a seamless experience that automate...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised shipping company - MPC Container Ships ASA (MPCC) on two transactions, as part of the implementation of its fleet strategy. The first transaction was the order of four new 4,500 TEU container vessels from Chinese shipyard Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering for a total investment of US$228 million. The ships are scheduled for completion and delivery to MPCC in the second half of 2027. Decarbonisation of maritime transport MPC has already signed three-year...

OrbitMI is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire Quebec-based AuQub, an artificial intelligence (AI) firm whose suite of AI-driven agents optimises workflows and automates repetitive tasks, helping businesses enhance productivity through more efficient decision-making. By incorporating AuQub’s innovative and accessible SaaS solutions into its platform, OrbitMI continues to advance the adoption of intelligent, connected workflows to help its maritime customers operate profitab...

Marine Masters has successfully completed its offshore scope for the decommissioning of the South Angsi Alpha (SAA) platform, operated by Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia Limited. The campaign marks a major milestone in the repurposing of retired offshore infrastructure, with the platform’s substructure now resting on the seabed as part of Malaysia’s largest rig-to-reef project. Safe removal and partial reefing Topside and substructure were designed for safe removal and reefing in...

KR (Korean Register) is pleased to announce that Lee Jungkun, General Manager of KR’s Convention & Legislation Service Team, has been elected as the next Chair of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Safety Panel, with a three-year term running from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028.  The appointment was confirmed at the 91st IACS Council Meeting held in Beijing, China.  IACS’s seven technical panels The Safety Panel is one of IAC...

ABS enhanced its CLP-V(PARR) lashing notation to include a seasonality factor, which gives additional operational flexibility to container ship operators. Introduced in 2024, the CLP-V(PARR) notation combines the ABS computer lashing program with mandatory parametric roll guidance, allowing operators to optimise stowage and lashing of containers, up to an additional tier of containers on deck, with reduced risk of loss due to parametric rolling. Route splitting approach The new seasonality fa...

The world’s pioneering port and cargo supply chain event series – TOC Worldwide – is proud to announce the second edition of TOC Africa, hosted in Morocco, home to both Africa and the Mediterranean’s largest container port, Tanger Med. This highly anticipated event will bring together industry pioneers, innovators, and stakeholders to explore the transformative potential of Africa’s ports and logistics sector. Energy, innovation, and collaboration Building on the...

The 10th annual Maritime Standard Tanker Conference 2025 will be held on Thursday, 30th October at the iconic Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Aimed at key decision makers and opinion formers within the tanker shipping business, the event takes place at an uncertain time for the industry, given economic volatility and a host of geopolitical issues. Tough environmental regulations There is also growing pressure to comply with tough environmental regulations There is also growing pressure to comply...

Strategic Marine, a pioneer in aluminium vessel construction, is proud to announce the successful delivery of a next-generation 27m Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) to new client Yeosu Ocean Co, Ltd, marking its continued momentum of CTV deliveries into South Korea. This milestone highlights Strategic Marine’s growing global footprint and continued success in winning new clients in emerging offshore wind markets. Efficient FPP propulsion The newly delivered vessel is based on the proven Strat...

Anemoi Marine Technologies, a pioneer in wind-assisted propulsion technology, has developed an in-service performance verification process that reduces cost and complexity for operators while improving accuracy compared to existing practices. The new methodology aims to enable greater uptake of the climate-neutral, energy-saving advantages of wind-assisted propulsion. Wind-assisted propulsion system The data is used to calibrate predictions on forces generated by the rotor sail system The p...

ClassNK launches a new service, ‘ClassNK Fleet Cost Simulation’, as part of its ‘ClassNK Transition Support Services’, which aims to facilitate the maritime industry’s transition to decarbonised fuels. This new service estimates the cost impact of GHG emission reduction regulations, including IMO's mid-term measures, EU-ETS, and FuelEU Maritime on behalf of clients. This service provides the ‘ClassNK Fleet Cost Calculator’, a calculation tool that simu...

ABS and the Floating Offshore Wind Power Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) of Japan signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate and explore new technologies to support the floating offshore wind industry. “For over 160 years, ABS has been leading the charge for safety excellence in the marine and offshore industries. Joining FLOWRA represents a great opportunity for us to work closely with industry leaders who are shaping what safety means for floating offshore wind develop...