World’s First Fully Autonomous Passenger Ferry to Start Commercial Service in Japan Under the “MEGURI2040” Project (2)
Published on January 15, 2026
For the demonstration of its unmanned navigation system on December 10, 2025, the 942 gross-ton passenger ferry Olympia Dream Seto was supported by a mobile land-based Fleet Operation Center.
The mobile center, which was completed in February 2025 under the MEGURI2040 fully autonomous ship project, analyzes weather conditions and monitors a ship’s equipment for abnormalities. On the day, it was deployed at Shin-Okayama Port in western Japan.
Housed in a cargo trailer, the operation center can be moved anywhere, meaning that in the event of a disaster or other emergencies, it can be transported to a safe location and continue to provide remote navigational support to multiple ships. The mobile center has a classic design and a dazzling silver body. Inside, it resembles a cockpit, equipped with screens displaying information.
The MEGURI2040 project also has a fixed Fleet Operation Center, established in July 2024 at the headquarters of Furuno Electric Co., a major manufacturer of maritime and industrial electronic products in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan. This center can provide remote navigation support for multiple crewless ships from shore.
Since July 2025, both the centers have been used in a series of second-stage demonstration tests under the MEGURI2040 Project, which leverages Japan's advanced information and communications technologies (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) expertise to overcome longstanding hurdles to autonomous navigation, including communications, obstacle detection and costs.
Speaking at the press conference held onboard the ferry, Executive Director Mitsuyuki Unno of The Nippon Foundation, said: “This is a thrilling first step. By accumulating real-world examples, we hope to refine operations for safer operations and contribute to the creation of international rules for autonomous ships.”
Mr. Mitsunobu Kojima, chairman and CEO of Ryobi Holdings Co., the parent company of the ferry operator, echoed the sentiment: "Autonomous ferries herald a new era for maritime safety, slashing accidents and easing crew burdens. We're committed to driving widespread adoption.”
"The Olympia Dream Seto underwent rigorous testing, including sensor validation and collision-avoidance systems, in the congested Seto Inland Sea,” he added.
(To be continued)