Smart Maritime Network Tokyo Conference
14 October 2026
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本カンファレンスは日英同時通訳にて進行いたします
This conference will be conducted with simultaneous translation between English and Japanese
Smart Maritime Network Tokyo 2026: Shaping Japan’s Maritime Future
Join Japan’s maritime community and international industry leaders at the Kaiun Club, Tokyo, on 14 October 2026 for a day of discussion on the opportunities and decisions shaping shipping’s future.
From floating data centres and space logistics to practical decarbonisation choices, SMN Tokyo 2026 will explore where maritime innovation is heading and what it takes to put it into practice. The programme combines keynote insights with four focused panel discussions, examining new business opportunities alongside the investment, cyber resilience and leadership needed to support lasting change.
Key themes include:
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒓 - 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒂 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔, 𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑱𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒅𝒈𝒆
Explore how maritime expertise can support new industries and business models. What makes these emerging opportunities commercially credible, and where can Japanese shipping play a leading role?
𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 - 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌
What should Japanese shipping invest in now? Examine the choices facing owners and operators, from operational efficiency and vessel retrofits to alternative fuels, and the partnerships needed to turn investment into measurable emissions reductions.
𝑪𝒚𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆
As vessels and shore operations become more connected, cyber resilience is central to safe and reliable shipping. Join a ClassNK-moderated discussion on managing maritime cyber risk and strengthening readiness across the industry.
𝑾𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑨 𝑱𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒏 - 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒔
Explore how maritime leaders can put inclusion, trust and opportunity into practice. This session will consider the people and values shaping the industry’s future, including the evolving opportunities for women in shipping.
An extended networking lunch featuring SMNxTech Talks will offer opportunities to discover technologies and exchange ideas with industry peers. Continue the conversations at our evening Darts-UP networking event, with drinks, canapés and friendly competition.
Japanese–English simultaneous interpretation will be available throughout the conference.
Join us in Tokyo to share experience, build connections and help shape the next steps for Japan’s maritime industry.
Conference Sponsors
Supporting collaboration in the maritime technology sector
Headline Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Technology Display Zone Partners
Supported By
With an expert line up ready to share their knowledge and experience:
- NAOTAKA ISHIZAWA, PRESIDENT, NYK DIGITAL ACADEMY; NYK FELLOW (PROJECT DESIGN) AND GENERAL MANAGER, NYK LINE
- SAKURA KUMA, PRESIDENT, WISTA JAPAN & EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MOL
- NAOTO NAKAGAWA, SENIOR COUNCILLOR, JAPAN ORGANIZATION FOR METALS AND ENERGY SECURITY (JOGMEC)
- JIM SMITH, REGIONAL COMMERCIAL MANAGER, LLOYD’S REGISTER
- KENJI TOGASAKI, GENERAL MANAGER, IINO LINES
- TAKUYA SAKAMOTO, CEO, MOL PLUS CO., LTD.
- KUMI MIYASHITA, CORPORATE OFFICER, CLASSNK
- MINAKO TAKABA, COUNTRY HEAD, JAPAN, AIGCC (ASIA INVESTOR GROUP ON CLIMATE CHANGE)
- AKANKSHA BATURA PAI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SINODA SHIPPING AGENCY PTE LTD
- LAURIE EVE, VP GLOBAL MERCHANT SALES, INMARSAT MARITIME
- JAKOB P. LARSEN, CHIEF SAFETY & SECURITY OFFICER, BIMCO
- JOE NAKAUE, COUNTRY MANAGER, BEN LINE
- KELLY TAKANO, GENERAL MANAGER FOR IT & DIGITAL STRATEGY UNIT, MOL & WISTA JAPAN
- AKANKSHA BATURA PAI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SINODA SHIPPING
- MARTY COCHRANE, CEO, CEATAEC/WILHELMSEN GROUP
- JUSTIN YI, REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR, APAC MARITIME, INMARSAT MARITIME
- NIR GARTZMAN, MANAGING PARTNER, THEDOCK
- TAKERU “NONU” SUZUKI, COUNTRY MANAGER, BLUE VISBY SOLUTION
- YUKIE TEO, PRESIDENT, WISTA SINGAPORE
- AMELIA NG, CO-FOUNDER & CEO, OLEA
- HARUYUKI KOREDO, SENIOR MANAGER, DEEPTECH VERTICAL, PLUG AND PLAY JAPAN
- NIR AYALON, CEO, CYDOME
- RYAN SON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, RAKUTEN SYMPHONY
- ROB O’DWYER, CHIEF NETWORK OFFICER, SMART MARITIME NETWORK
- CATHY HODGE, COO, SMART MARITIME NETWORK
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 // 14 October 2026
Agenda to follow shortly - Sign up to our mailing list for updates! For further enquiries please contact cathy.hodge@smartmaritimenetwork.com.
Conference Agenda // 14 October 2026
Opening Address: The Outlook for Japan’s Maritime Industry: DX, GX and a Changing Global Landscape 09:50NAOTO NAKAGAWA, SENIOR COUNCILLOR, JAPAN ORGANIZATION FOR METALS AND ENERGY SECURITY (JOGMEC)
Industry Keynote: Digital Assurance as a Key Driver of Maritime Transformation 10:15JIM SMITH, REGIONAL COMMERCIAL MANAGER, LLOYD’S REGISTER
Tea/Coffee Break 10:50A chance to network with each other and meet our Smart Maritime Network Partners
Panel 1 - The New Maritime Frontier 11:20Floating data centres, space logistics and Japan’s innovation edge.
Explore how maritime expertise can support new industries and business models. What makes these emerging opportunities commercially credible, and where can Japanese shipping play a leading role.
Moerator: NIR GARTZMAN, MANAGING PARTNER, THEDOCK
Panellists:
AMELIA NG, CO-FOUNDER & CEO, OLEA
HARUYUKI KOREDO, SENIOR MANAGER, DEEPTECH VERTICAL, PLUG AND PLAY JAPAN
JUSTIN YI, REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR, APAC MARITIME, INMARSAT MARITIME
KENJI TOGASAKI, GENERAL MANAGER, IINO LINES
TAKUYA SAKAMOTO, CEO, MOL PLUS CO., LTD.
Lunch & SMN TechTalks 12:30Grab your lunch and take a seat in the Conference Room to learn about the latest innovations in the maritime space from our event partners. Each presenter 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 different companies and discuss their developments.
Panel 2 - Leadership in a Time of Uncertainty: The Strategic Value of Diverse Leadership In partnership with WISTA Japan 14:05Diversity is not merely an inclusion agenda. It is a leadership and business imperative. In a world defined by uncertainty, the organizations best positioned for success will be those that harness diverse perspectives, challenge conventional thinking, and build leadership teams capable of navigating complexity with confidence and purpose. In this panel, we will explore the evolving role of leadership in an increasingly complex and uncertain world, with particular focus on how diversity can strengthen organizations, decision-making, and long-term competitiveness.
Moderator:
SAKURA KUMA, PRESIDENT, WISTA JAPAN & EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MOL
Panellists:
AKANKSHA BATURA PAI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SINODA SHIPPING AGENCY PTE LTD/WISTA SINGAPORE
JOE NAKAUE, COUNTRY MANAGER, BEN LINE
KELLY TAKANO, GENERAL MANAGER FOR IT & DIGITAL STRATEGY UNIT, MOL/WISTA JAPAN
LUIS BENITO, GROUP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING DIRECTOR, WALLEM GROUP
NIR GARTZMAN, MANAGING PARTNER, THEDOCK
YUKIE TEO, PRESIDENT, WISTA SINGAPORE- Panel 3 – Maritime Cyber Resilience: From Readiness to Response 15:10
How can shipping companies prepare for, withstand and recover from a cyber incident? Led by ClassNK, this discussion brings together perspectives on shipboard security, connectivity and industry practice to explore shared responsibilities and keeping operations running.
Moderator:
KUMI MIYASHITA, CORPORATE OFFICER, CLASSNK
Panellists:
JAKOB P. LARSEN, CHIEF SAFETY & SECURITY OFFICER, BIMCO
LAURIE EVE, VP GLOBAL MERCHANT SALES, INMARSAT MARITIME
NIR AYALON, CEO, CYDOME
RYAN SON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, RAKUTEN SYMPHONY/HEAD OF RAKUTEN MARITIME
Tea/Coffee Break 16:15A chance to network with each other and meet our Smart Maritime Network Partners
Panel 4 - Green Transition in Practice: Making Decarbonisation Work Commercially 16:45How can shipping reduce emissions while remaining competitive? This panel explores how trusted, comparable data and collaboration can support practical decarbonisation across different shipping markets. Panellists will discuss what the industry needs to agree on, where companies can differentiate, and how business models, incentives and benefit-sharing can turn shared information into measurable progress.
Moderator: HAJIME AKAMATSU, DGM DX PROMOTION GROUP, NYK (NIPPON YUSEN KABUSHIKI KAISHA)
Panellists:
JIM SMITH, REGIONAL COMMERCIAL MANAGER, LLOYD’S REGISTER
MARTY COCHRANE, CEO, CEATAEC/WILHELMSEN GROUP
MINAKO TAKABA, COUNTRY HEAD, JAPAN, AIGCC (ASIA INVESTOR GROUP ON CLIMATE CHANGE)
RYO MIYOSHI, AGM, ENVIRONMENT/TECHNICAL STRATEGY GROUP, K LINE
TAKERU “NONU” SUZUKI, COUNTRY MANAGER, BLUE VISBY SOLUTION
Conference Conclusions 17:45Closing Notes, followed by Darts-UP networking event at 18:00-20:00 – kindly hosted by Lloyd’s Register
Evening Networking Reception – Darts-Up Takeover 18:00Kick back and team up for a fun-filled evening at our Darts-Up takeover in one of Tokyo’s favourite spots. Whether you’re a darts enthusiast or a first-timer, this is a great chance to relax, network, and build connections in a lively, team-focused environment. Enjoy drinks, delicious finger food, and friendly competition — plus, there’ll be awards and prizes to keep the energy high and the fun flowing. Don’t miss out on an evening of great company and memorable moments!
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
Conference Sponsors
Supporting collaboration in the maritime technology sector
Headline Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Technology Display Zone Partners
Supported By
Venue
Kaiun Club
2 Chome-6-4 Hirakawacho,
Chiyoda City,
Tokyo 102-0093
Registration
Shipping Company VIP Pass
€ 0
- Free registration for qualifying vessel operators (includes ship owners/managers/builders, and selected industry stakeholders - subject to confirmation by the organisers).
Conference Delegate Pass
€ 795
- Delegate pass for admission to all conference sessions, and the evening Networking Party. (Discounts are available for multiple delegate bookings)