Graduated from the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies at Keio University in 2000, and joined the Nippon Foundation. Since June 2023, Satoshi has been directing marine technology projects, including autonomous ships.

Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) are an important agenda item at IMO since they will impact future shipping in wide areas, e.g. safety at sea, seafarers’ role, shore-based facilities, etc.

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) conducted the Regulatory Scoping Exercise (RSE), aiming to assess the degree to which the existing regulatory framework might be affected.

IMO is currently developing a goal-based and non-mandatory MASS Code to be adopted in December 2024, which complements SOLAS and applies to cargo ships. This presentation also touches upon issues that may be related to Coastguards when MASS sails at sea.

Cyber-security is a growing issue in the Maritime sector. Unmanned vessels remove some issues and introduce new concerns. This talk will discuss benefits, issues and training needs brought about by the emergence of unmanned vessels.

Efforts towards the social implementation of MASSs are conducted around the world. On the other hand, it is not realistic to expect all ships to replace MASSs at the same time, and MASSs and non-MASSs will be operated in a mixed environment. This presentation describes the issues involved in ensuring the same safe operation of ships in such an environment as is currently cases. 

Despite vessels getting towards readiness for unmanned vessel operation, the human-machine interface will remain key. We may sometimes be a bit fast in assigning the cause for errors to humans. But does it always have to be the human who needs to adapt? Wouldn’t we rather need technology that is sufficiently easy to operate? Up-to-date qualifications will be needed and important; however, we need technology that supports the crew well. And maybe a red button to bring the vessel back under human control – or not? What is safety thinking in a time of unmanned vessels? Which options do coast guards have to remedy a situation and is it their task?

The development of autonomous ships is being pursued to achieve safe navigation and stabilise logistics. This presentation will look into the implementation details of the MEGURI2040 Stage 2 project which is commencing in October 2022. This project aims to enhance navigational safety and facilitate the societal integration of autonomous ships.  

The input of unmanned vessels to SAR operations. Whilst rescuing individuals may be difficult to and from an unmanned vessel, one of the most difficult elements of any SAR operation is the search phase. This is where the technologies fitted to an unmanned vessel may prove to be a decisive factor. With a broader range of sensors and visual aids to search, there is an increased likelihood of an initial detection and assessment of the situation of the vessel, and her crew, in difficulty if an unmanned vessel is in the vicinity. Real time communications will be live to the Remote Control Centre (RCC) and there may be some elementary life saving devices fitted to the vessel. Therefore the unmanned vessel may be a critical asset in any SAR operation.

The presentation will address the search and rescue issue from MASS regulation perspective, with a special focus on the development of the IMO MASS Code. Additionally, it will delve into the work carried out at the SAR splinter group of MSC MASS Correspondence Group.

This presentation will discuss the positive and negative Search and Rescue impacts of these vessels, and the desired capabilities and requirements to ensure effective SAR response. This will include discussion of the effects of partly manned and unmanned vessels, and their GMDSS requirements, and the need to recover persons from the water and provide support, welfare and medical assistance.

Autonomous vessels are predicted to be an integral part of the maritime world, shaping the future of the global shipping industry. With autonomous vessels being integrated into the maritime world and its various sectors, industry and authorities like the Coast Guard need to ensure that they are fully prepared for what lies ahead. An integral sector to the maritime world is salvage. This presentation will look into what challenges lie ahead in terms of salvage and autonomous ships and opportunities to better prepare these vessels when faced with an unfortunate salvage situation, as well as how salvage and Coast Guards work hand in hand to respond to unforeseen incidents.

Among the new technologies being deployed at sea, maritime autonomous vehicles (MAV) are of increasing interest to States to enhance their intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to improve their maritime security. This article analyses the international law implications of this use of MAV to support maritime law enforcement efforts in response to drug trafficking and other crimes at sea.　The use of MAV for criminal purposes, especially smuggling goods, also holds international law consequences. The presentation assesses how these different operations of MAV fit within existing legal regimes, highlighting emerging legal questions for resolution and setting out recommendations for law reform to enhance counter-smuggling operations at sea.

Even in Japan alone, there are still quite a few maritime accidents and criminal cases related to such incidents. A survey of 130 seafarers, including foreign seafarers, indicated that seaman should be a requirement for MASS. Currently, uncertainties persist regarding the ordinary practices of seamanship and navigation among the three ships. These uncertainties can impact the scope of criminal liability. Therefore, by clarifying these cases, including the roles of seafarers on board and ROC operators, MASS can be manoeuvred safely and with increased reliability.

Prevailing unmanned technologies will pose both internal and external challenges for Coast Guard services. The former is how to improve service efficiency through the strategic deployment of these technologies in various areas, including SAR, LE, VTS, environmental protection etc., This particularly pertains to human resource management. The latter is how Coast Guards must address the challenges posed by the autonomous maritime environment, where many ships operate with reduced or no crew on board. 

Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) are being increasingly utilised to enhance the data collection capabilities of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) systems. MDA refers to the knowledge and understanding of activities in the maritime domain, which is essential for maritime security and safety. USVs provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for collecting data in various maritime environments, such as coastal areas, ports, and offshore regions. These autonomous or remotely operated vessels can be equipped with a range of sensors, including cameras, radars, and sonars, to gather real-time information on vessel traffic, environmental conditions, and potential threats. By complementing existing MDA systems, USVs contribute to improved situational awareness, decision-making, and proactive response in maritime operations.