SMN Tokyo Vision
Join us at Smart Maritime Network Tokyo 2024 for a day packed with innovation and insight into the future of maritime technology. Our agenda covers a comprehensive range of topics crucial to maritime innovation in Japan, from exploring leadership in digital transformation to navigating the seas with autonomous shipping. Delve into sustainability, cybersecurity, and investment trends, and engage in discussions on inclusivity and strategic data use. Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and shape the future of shipping in Japan and beyond, alongside industry leaders and experts.
There will be a Networking Party at the end of the day, kindly sponsored by Inmarsat, held at Anchor Point in the Kaiun Cub, to further enable discussion and partnerships between all those attending.
For more information please contact cathy.hodge@smartmaritimenetwork.com

With an expert line up ready to share their knowledge and experience:
- Akiyama Harunobu, Assistant General Manager, Ship Technical Group, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (‘K’ Line)
- Professor Etsuro Shimizu, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
- Dr. Flocy Joseph, Executive Development, Singapore Management University
- Haruki Chua,General Manager, Klaveness Japan KK
- Joseph Morelos, Maritime AI Test and Innovation Leader, Lloyd’s Register
- Capt. Jun Nakamura, Manager, Autonomous Ship Team, Maritime & Logistics Technology Group, MTI Co., Ltd (NYK Group)
- Justin Yi, APAC Sales Director, Maritime BU, Inmarsat Maritime
- Keitaro Watanabe, Section Manager, Business Strategy Department, Iino Lines
- Ken Hasegawa, Head of Maritime Innovation Taskforce, Mitsubishi Corporation
- Luis Benito, Group Business Development & Marketing Director, Wallem Group
- Marina Hadjipateras, General Partner and Founder, TMV
- Masahiko Azegami, Senior Vice President, Development Bank of Japan Inc
- Naotaka Ishizawa, President, NYK Digital Academy (Conference Chair)
- Naoto Nakagawa, Designated Principal Researcher, National Maritime Research Institute
- Nir Gartzman, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, theDOCK
- Rob O’Dwyer, Chief Network Officer, Smart Maritime Network
- Shaun Hon, Founder & General Partner, Motion Ventures
- Dr. Shinichi Ishii, Professor, Josai International University
- Takahiro Wakana, Head of Department, Urban Innovation Consulting Department, Nomura Research Institute
- Takahiro Yamazaki, Safety Policy Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, (MLIT), JAPAN
- Takuya Sakamoto, CEO, MOL PLUS
- Yasumasa Suetsugu, CEO, THUNDERBIRDS.Inc.
- Yasuyuki Sakurai, Senior Manager, Orcelle Accelerator, Decarbonisation Taskforce, Wallenius Wilhelmsen
- Yuri Jinnai, Chief Digital Officer, e5 Lab
Learning
Learn from our expert speakers and get up to date on the latest technology developments.
Sharing
Share ideas on how to transform the shipping business using digital technologies.
Networking
Reconnect with your peers in the maritime IT sector and make new contacts to benefit your business.
Conference Agenda // 18 September 2024
Advancing Maritime Innovation and Sustainability through International Cooperation: A Blueprint for Japan’s Future 09:30Tetsuya Kikyo, Program Director, Nippon Foundation
Industry Keynote - Business Value of Maritime Digitalisation 10:00Justin Yi, APAC Sales Director, Maritime BU, Inmarsat Maritime
Tea/Coffee Break 10:30A chance to network with each other and meet our Smart Maritime Network Partners
Panel 1 - Taking the Helm: Leadership, Digital Transformation and the Future of Maritime Innovation 11:00Explore the pivotal role of leadership in steering digital transformation in the maritime industry. This session will emphasise crew welfare, sustainability, and inclusivity.
Industry experts will share insights on the future of shipping, focusing on how we can all work better together to navigate the industry towards a more innovative, sustainable, and inclusive future.
Topics to be discussed:
Leadership and Digital Transformation:
• The critical role of leadership in driving digital change.
• Strategies for integrating advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and safety.
Prioritising Crew Welfare:
• Improving mental and physical well-being of seafarers through better communication and support systems.
• The impact of new technologies on crew roles.
Sustainability and Equitable Transition:
• Ensuring technological advancements benefit all stakeholders.
• Initiatives supporting environmental sustainability and social equity.
Inclusivity and the Future of Shipping:
• Promoting diversity and gender equality in the maritime industry.
• Predicting future trends, including autonomous vessels and green technologies.
Moderated by: Naotaka Ishizawa, President, NYK Digital Academy
Panellists include:
Haruki Chua, General Manager, Klaveness Japan KK
Dr. Flocy Joseph, Executive Development, Singapore Management University
Luis Benito, Group Business Development & Marketing Director, Wallem Group
Dr. Shinichi Ishii, Professor, Josai International University
Takahiro Wakana, Head of Department, Urban Innovation Consulting Department, Nomura Research Institute
Panel 2 - Navigating the Future: Autonomous Shipping in Japan 12:00This panel will delve into the advancements, challenges, and future prospects of autonomous shipping, focusing on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).
Topics to be discussed:
Technological Innovations in Autonomous Shipping:
• Current projects and trials in Japan.
• Advances in navigation and AI integration.
Regulatory and Safety Frameworks:
• Japan’s regulatory environment for autonomous ships.
• Ensuring safety and security.
Economic and Environmental Impacts:
• Economic benefits and cost savings.
• Environmental advantages and challenges.
Future Prospects and Challenges:
• Long-term vision and collaboration between industry, government, and academia.
Moderated by: Professor Etsuro Shimizu, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Panellists include:
Naoto Nakagawa, Designated Principal Researcher, National Maritime Research Institute
Capt. Jun Nakamura, Manager, Autonomous Ship Team, Maritime & Logistics Technology Group, MTI Co., Ltd (NYK Group)
Takahiro Yamazaki, Safety Policy Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
Yasumasa Suetsugu, CEO, THUNDERBIRDS.Inc.
Lunch & SMNx Talks 13:00Grab your lunch and rejoin the Conference Room to hear from our sponsors. Each sponsor will have a quick fire session on stage to share their latest innovations. This will be followed by tea/coffee in the main lobby for you to visit the sponsors and discuss their developments.
Sessions
13:30 Business Value of Maritime Digitalisation
Delivered by Inmarsat Maritime
13:40 Human-centred Design for Safe, High-Performance MASS Operations
Delivered by LR
13:50 Next Generation Ground Systems and Maritime Satellite Connectivity
Delivered by ST Engineering iDirect
14:00 Enhancing Vessel Reporting to Lessen Crew Burden
Delivered by ABS Wavesight
14:10 With the modernisation of the GMDSS requirements, what is next in safety at sea?
Learn all about the next generation of new satellite GMDSS equipment with Inmarsat and Iridium
Delivered by Cobham SATCOM
14:20 Keeping you connected, supported, secure and compliant
Delivered by GTMaritime
14:30 Intelsat update on advances with FlexMaritime service
Delivered by Intelsat
14:40 Digitally advancing the shipping industry
Delivered by Marlink
Panel 3 - Investing in Maritime Innovation 15:00This panel will explore the landscape of maritime innovation investments, highlighting key issues, challenges, and opportunities.
Topics to be discussed:
Current State of Maritime Investments in Japan:
• Economic impact and investment trends.
• Challenges in securing funding.
Demystifying Maritime Investments:
• Investment processes and key factors for evaluating projects.
• Addressing common misconceptions.
Funding Challenges and Opportunities:
• Analysis of funding sources and the role of public-private partnerships.
• Strategies to attract international investors.
Promoting Maritime Innovation Projects:
• Case studies and regulatory frameworks.
• Collaboration between academia, industry, and government.
Opportunities to Work with Corporates:
• Partnerships between startups, SMEs, and large corporations.
• Benefits of corporate collaboration.
Moderated by: Nir Gartzman, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, theDOCK
Panellists include:
Keitaro Watanabe, Section Manager, Business Strategy Department, Iino Lines
Marina Hadjipateras, General Partner and Founder, TMV
Shaun Hon, Founder & General Partner, Motion Ventures
Takuya Sakamoto, CEO, MOL PLUS
Short Tea/Coffee Break 16:00A chance to network with each other and meet our Smart Maritime Network Partners
Panel 4 - Advancing Green Shipping and Decarbonisation 16:20This panel will review technological innovations driving the maritime industry's push towards decarbonisation. With regulatory pressures and a global sustainability mandate, the session will highlight latest advancements in operational strategies, energy efficiency measures, and collaborative efforts, alongside the economic and environmental impacts of these initiatives.
Topics to be Discussed:
Strategies for Decarbonisation:
• Energy Efficiency Measures:
- Implementing slow steaming, route optimisation, and just-in-time arrivals to enhance fuel efficiency.
- Advances in hull design, propeller efficiency, and waste heat recovery.
• Renewable Energy Integration:
- Utilising wind, solar, and hybrid propulsion systems to reduce carbon emissions.
Regulatory Frameworks and Industry Standards:
• International and Regional Regulations:
- Overview of IMO regulations and strategies for compliance.
• Collaborative Efforts:
- Partnerships and initiatives like the Poseidon Principles driving industry-wide change.
Economic and Environmental Impacts:
• Cost-Benefit Analysis:
- Evaluating the economic viability and long-term benefits of green technologies.
• Environmental Outcomes:
- Impact on air pollution reduction and climate change mitigation.
Case Studies and Best Practices:
• Successful Implementations:
- Real-world examples of companies achieving significant reductions in carbon emissions through operational changes.
• Lessons Learned:
- Challenges faced and solutions implemented during the transition to greener operations.
Moderated by: Ken Hasegawa, Head of Maritime Innovation Taskforce, Mitsubishi Corporation
Panellists include:
Akiyama Harunobu, Assistant General Manager, Ship Technical Group, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (‘K’ Line)
Masahiko Azegami, Senior Vice President, Development Bank of Japan Inc
Yasuyuki Sakurai, Senior Manager, Orcelle Accelerator, Decarbonisation Taskforce, Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Yuri Jinnai, Chief Digital Officer, e5 Lab
Conclusions, followed by the SMN Tokyo Networking Party 17:20Conclusions, followed by the Smart Maritime Networking Party, Kindly Sponsored by Inmarsat.
Held at Akasaka Prince Classic House.
PHOTO GALLERY
Maritime Digitalisation Advisors
International experts covering a range of maritime digitalisation technologies will be on hand at the Smart Maritime Network Tokyo Conference, ready to discuss how your company can leverage its data to improve processes and drive efficiency in an increasingly connected market
Registration
Shipping Company VIP Pass
- Free registration for qualifying vessel operators (includes ship owners/managers/builders, and selected industry stakeholders - subject to confirmation by the organisers).
Conference Delegate Pass
- Delegate pass for admission to all conference sessions, and the evening Networking Party. (Discounts are available for multiple delegate bookings)






















































































