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From May 13 (Tue) to 16 (Fri), we held an event centered on ships, which are closely tied to people’s daily lives. During the lectures, discussions focused on the appeal of leisure activities such as boating, the charm of ship travel, and the smartification of ships through DX, showcasing the potential of ships to transport people and goods from various perspectives.
Yanmar’s Vision for the Future of Marine Culture
Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. delivered a lecture on marine culture from the perspectives of yacht and boat design, as well as fisheries research. Mr. Yōtarō Tsuchiya, Director of the Design Department, and Mr. Ikuto Namiki, Deputy Director, presented insights into the differences between marinas and yachts worldwide, as well as the potential for water activities in Japan.
Next, Kotaro Yoshikawa of the Central Research Laboratory, Technical Headquarters, gave a lecture on the new “land-based sea urchin farming system” challenge, appealing to the importance of respecting the blessings of the sea and addressing the issue of global warming, which is affecting the decline of marine resources.
Transforming the waterfront landscape: The challenge of SUPER YACHT BASE KOBE
On May 14 (Wed), Mr. Yutaka Tani, Director of the Marina Division at GLION Group, gave a presentation on the development of a superyacht-specialized marina planned for the waterfront area of Kobe, as well as initiatives to create new vitality. The GLION Group plans to open Japan’s first marina capable of accommodating superyachts, “SUPER YACHT BASE KOBE,” in spring 2027. In the waterfront area, which is gaining momentum with the opening of the new “GLION ARENA KOBE” in Kobe Stokes in April and the launch of international flights at Kobe Airport, the group is planning community events where people can interact with the waterfront on a daily basis.
Additionally, the marina in Kobe, which serves as the gateway for tours of the Seto Inland Sea—a popular destination for overseas tourists—is poised to become a new hub where land, sea, and air converge, with the sea as its starting point, offering a variety of new experiences.
In the closing talk, a discussion session was held with Mr. Shouzo Matsuo, Representative Director of biid Co., Ltd., who emphasized the necessity for the marina to serve as a starting point for open urban development that attracts many people, rather than being limited to the affluent.
Nakanoshima GATE South Pier aims to be a crossroads of sea and river
Mr. Shouzo Matsuo, Representative Director of biid Co., Ltd., gave a lecture on the future of water transportation hubs and marine tourism, centered on the “Nakanoshima GATE South Pier,” which opened in April this year. biid Co., Ltd. has been operating mixed-use marina facilities featuring cafes, marine sports, and glamping accommodations in Kanagawa Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, and the Seto Inland Sea, striving to revitalize ports. This time, in conjunction with the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, the company opened an urban marina connecting Osaka Bay Area locations like Yumeshima with central Osaka areas like Dotonbori and Nakanoshima. Starting in late May, the company will also launch a “Park & Cruise” initiative, where visitors can take a boat to the expo venue, attracting attention as a new mode of transportation.
Mitsui Ocean Cruise’s “Beautiful Ship Travel in Japan”
On May 15 (Thu), Yamamoto Keinosuke, Sales and Marketing Manager at Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Cruise Co., Ltd., spoke about the appeal of ship travel. Mr.Yamamoto explained that while cruises are often perceived as luxurious and expensive, the cost includes not only transportation and accommodation but also meals, entertainment, and activities, making them surprisingly affordable.
He then introduced the onboard facilities and port-of-call tours of the Mitsui Ocean Fuji, which debuted in December 2024. The ship boasts all-ocean-view suites, bathtubs, and 90% of rooms with balconies, offering a comfortable space. Additionally, passengers can choose their preferred travel style, including dining and onboard activities, according to their preferences. Through services that prioritize the traditional Japanese hospitality that has continued since before the war, the event provided an opportunity for cruises to be recognized as a more accessible form of travel.
Autonomous ship technology, the future, and possibilities
On Friday, May 16, Yuin Kimura, CEO of Eight Knot Co., Ltd., which develops autonomous ship technology with the vision of allowing everyone to enjoy the sea more freely, took the stage and introduced the diverse types of ships, such as cargo ships, ferries, amphibious buses, and cruisers, that support the lives of many people. After explaining the history of ship technology, which has evolved alongside human civilization as one of humanity’s oldest forms of mobility, he highlighted challenges such as crew shortages, increasing navigation accidents, and the need for skilled operators. He reported on efforts to address these issues through ship smartification and autonomous navigation ship demonstration experiments. Mr. Kimura predicted that as more ships equipped with such autonomous navigation technology are deployed, water taxis operating in urban rivers and bays will become a new mode of transportation, and attractive water-based experiences such as shipboard dinners and sunset cruises will enrich people’s lives. This, in turn, will further expand the possibilities of autonomous navigation technology.
▼The event is available on YouTube at the BLUE OCEAN DOME official channel. Please take a look.
【#028】Yanmar’s Vision for the Future of Marine Culture (ZERI JAPAN/Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd.)
【#029】The Challenge of SUPER YACHT BASE KOBE/Nakanoshima GATE South Pier’s Vision for the Intersection of Sea and River (ZERI JAPAN/GLION GROUP/biid)
【#030】A Company Nurtured by the Sea: FURUNO Marine DX (ZERI JAPAN/Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.)
【#031】Mitsui Ocean Cruise Presents: “Beautiful Ship Travel in Japan” (ZERI JAPAN/Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Cruise Co., Ltd.)
【#032】The Future and Potential of Ship Autonomous Driving Technology (ZERI JAPAN/Eight Knot Co., Ltd.)
【#033】The Future of Ships Brought by Maritime DX and Collaboration Between Japanese and Indian Companies (ZERI JAPAN/Nakakita Manufacturing Co., Ltd.)