Japan Marine Science

What Japan Marine Science does

Japan Marine Science Inc. (株式会社日本海洋科学) is a Kawasaki-based maritime solutions consulting company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), founded in 1985 as Land Maritime Co., Ltd. and operating under its current name since 1998. The company provides a portfolio of services to the maritime industry, including maritime consulting (port planning, vessel safety assessments, navigation analysis, maritime policy), ship simulator design and installation, ClassNK-certified seafarer training, new shipbuilding supervision, autonomous ship technology development (through the MEGURI2040 program), diving and underwater hull maintenance, and seismic/vibration testing via a large 3D shaking table acquired from MTI Co., Ltd. in 2022.

The company's underlying technology base combines proprietary ship handling simulators (including the world's first 4K-resolution large-scale simulator, launched in 2015), the ARS (Advanced Routing Simulation and planning) autonomous navigation software, and specialized seismic reproduction capabilities. It holds approximately 70% domestic market share in ship handling simulators in Japan, has sold 83 simulator units globally, and trained over 30,000 individuals in the past decade. The company leads the 53-company DFFAS+ consortium under the Nippon Foundation MEGURI2040 program, which achieved the world's first commercial autonomous ship Level 4 operations with four MLIT-certified vessels in March 2026.

Revenue is generated through professional services fees (consulting, training, ODA technical cooperation projects, vibration testing, diving services) and hardware sales (ship simulator units). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Customer segments span central and local governments (MLIT, ODA-recipient maritime authorities), shipping and shipbuilding companies (NYK, MOL, K Line, Suzuyo Kaiun, and others), maritime educational institutions (universities, fisheries schools, the Japan Coast Guard), and classification societies (ClassNK). The company operates from a Kawasaki headquarters and simulation center, with additional offices in Yokohama, Kobe (two sites), and Kitakyushu/Fukuoka.

Name

Japan Marine Science

Legal name

Japan Marine Science Inc.

Website

https://jms-inc.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Japan Marine Science is a Kawasaki-based maritime consulting firm and wholly-owned NYK Line subsidiary that delivers ship simulator systems, ClassNK-certified seafarer training, autonomous navigation technology, and vibration/seismic testing to government, shipping, and maritime education clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Consulting Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Project Management & Owner’s Engineering / Technical Consultancy (Spec Writing, Bid Support, Site Support) (IMAJAGAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Systems Commissioning, Testing & Certification Support (TLAKAKAM), Underwater Hull Inspection, Cleaning & Propeller Services (TLAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Maritime consulting services
• Ship handling simulators
• Maritime education training
• Autonomous ship technology
• Underwater hull maintenance

Headquarters

HQ city

Kawasaki

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Maritime Consulting Services: Professional consulting fees for maritime consulting services including port planning, vessel safety assessments, ship handling simulations, and maritime policy advisory. Covers both domestic Japan and overseas ODA projects.
2. Ship Simulator Sales and Installation: Sale and installation of various ship simulators including full-mission, compact, desktop, VR-type, and specialized simulators (RADAR/TT, ECDIS, tugboat, engine, cargo handling, crane, GMDSS). Total sales record of 83 units across Japan and overseas.
3. Maritime Training Services: ClassNK-certified training programs including ship handling simulator training, BRM/BTM courses, ECDIS training, and PEC courses. Revenue from training fees and course certifications.
4. Diving Services: Underwater hull inspection, cleaning, propeller polishing, and repair services. Revenue from service contracts and per-dive operations.
5. Vibration Testing Services: Seismic testing, transport equipment vibration testing, and cargo transport vibration testing using large 3D shaking table. Revenue from testing service fees.
6. Overseas ODA Consulting Projects: Government ODA technical cooperation projects for shipbuilding and maritime development in developing countries. Includes expert dispatch, facility planning, and technical training support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Japan Marine Science is a maritime consulting company providing end-to-end solutions for the maritime industry. Its core offerings include maritime consulting (port planning, vessel safety, navigation analysis, maritime policy), design and sale of ship handling/ECDIS/RADAR simulators, ClassNK-certified seafarer training, autonomous ship technology development (ARS software, MEGURI2040 consortium), underwater hull diving services, and seismic/vibration testing using a large 3D shaking table.

Product overview

Japan Marine Science is a maritime consulting company that operates as a comprehensive solution provider for the maritime industry. The company offers multiple distinct product lines: (1) Maritime Consulting covering surveys, port planning, vessel safety, and navigation analysis; (2) Ship Simulator systems including Ship Handling Simulators, ECDIS Simulators, RADAR/TT Simulators, and specialized simulators (Tugboat, Engine, Cargo Handling, Crane, GMDSS); (3) Maritime Education and Training with ClassNK-certified programs; (4) New Shipbuilding Consulting and Ship Maintenance Support; (5) Autonomous Ships Technology Development including ARS software for autonomous navigation; (6) Diving Services for underwater hull maintenance; (7) Oscillation Table Business for seismic and vibration testing; and (8) Operational and Seafarer Support Services. The flagship simulator division has over 30 years of experience with 28 full-mission units installed globally, while the autonomous ships division leads Japan's MEGURI2040 project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maritime Consulting Comprehensive maritime consulting services including surveys/measurements, port planning, vessel safety assessments, navigation analysis, simulation, maritime policy development, and overseas research for government agencies, shipping companies, and shipbuilders.
• Overseas Shipbuilding and Maritime Consulting Consulting for shipbuilding projects, shipyard facility design, maritime business planning, ship recycling, seafarer training equipment, and expert dispatch for developing countries, primarily under Japan's ODA programs.
• New Shipbuilding Consulting New shipbuilding consulting including owner's supervision agency services, drawings approval, superintendent dispatch, and ship maintenance support for vessels in operation.
• Ship Handling Simulator Full-mission, compact, VR, and desktop ship handling simulators for various vessel types. Over 30 years of development experience with 28 full-mission units installed (22 in Japan, 6 overseas); world's first large-scale 4K resolution simulator introduced in 2015.
• ECDIS Simulator ECDIS training simulators for both generic STCW-required training and type-specific equipment training. Compatible with JRC and Furuno ECDIS units; recreates congested maritime environments such as Tokyo Bay and Singapore Strait.
• RADAR/TT Simulator RADAR/Target Tracking training simulator supporting STCW Convention requirements with actual marine radar equipment integration.
• Other Simulators Specialized simulators including Tugboat Simulator, Engine Simulator, Cargo Handling Simulator, Crane Simulator, and GMDSS Simulator for comprehensive maritime training.
• Maritime Education and Training ClassNK-certified training programs including Ship Handling Training, BRM/BTM (IMO Model Course 1.22), Watchkeeping, Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC) Course, and ECDIS Training (IMO Model Course 1.27) delivered at the Kawasaki simulation center.
• Operational and Seafarer Support Service Dispatch of maritime technical officers (cargo handling superintendents, berth masters, sea trial personnel) and comprehensive seafarer support services for international voyages.
• Autonomous Ships Technology Development Development and social implementation of autonomous ship technology, including ARS (Advanced Routing Simulation and planning) software for autonomous navigation. Leading participant in the MEGURI2040 project and core of the DFFAS+ 53-company consortium.
• Diving Services Professional diving services including underwater hull inspections, hull cleaning (AQUA SHAVER system), propeller polishing (A/B grade on UK Rubert Scale), underwater repairs, and ROV inspections; ISO9001-certified by classification societies.
• Oscillation Table Business (Vibration & Seismic Testing) Large 3D shaking table (2.6m x 6.2m) for seismic testing, transport equipment vibration testing, and cargo transport vibration testing. Capable of reproducing Great East Japan Earthquake and Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake waveforms with 6 degrees of freedom combined excitation.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~70% domestic market share for ship handling simulators in Japan
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Nippon Foundation (日本財団)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Lead sponsor and program coordinator of the MEGURI2040 unmanned ship project. Japan Foundation provides funding and overall program direction for autonomous ship technology development and social implementation, with Japan Marine Science serving as a core technical partner and consortium leader.
• DFFAS+ Consortium (53 companies)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020DFFAS+ (Designing the Future of Fully Autonomous Ships Plus) consortium of 53 Japanese companies led by Japan Marine Science. Consortium members include major shipping companies (MOL, K Line, NYK), shipbuilders (JMU, Kawasaki Heavy Industries), technology companies, and maritime service providers collaborating on autonomous ship technology development.
• MTI Co., Ltd. (株式会社MTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYK Group company and co-PMO of DFFAS+ consortium. MTI transferred oscillation table business to Japan Marine Science in 2022. Long-standing collaboration on maritime simulation and autonomous ship research.
• Mitsubishi Research Institute (三菱総合研究所)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-PMO of DFFAS+ consortium alongside Japan Marine Science and MTI. Provides research and consulting expertise for autonomous ship technology development and social implementation.
• Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. (古野電気)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of land-based support center facility at their Nishinomiya office. Hosts the permanent land-based support center for remote monitoring and support of multiple autonomous vessels.
• Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (日本無線)coreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped the mobile land-based support center (cargo trailer type) for autonomous ship remote support. Enables flexible deployment for disaster response and remote autonomous ship operations support.
• Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClassification society providing certification for maritime education and training programs. Certified BRM/BTM training and Ship Handling Training Course as official maritime education programs. Supported development of ClassNK Guidelines for Automated and MASS Operations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Orca AI: Israel-based maritime AI startup offering automated situational awareness and navigation assistance for commercial fleets. Overlaps with JMS's peripheral recognition and autonomous navigation capabilities.
• Sea Machines Robotics: US-based autonomous ship technology company focused on computer vision and autonomous control for commercial vessels. Comparable to JMS's ARS autonomous navigation software development.

Direct peers

• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian maritime technology leader offering ship handling simulators, vessel automation, and autonomous ship systems. Most direct international peer to JMS in maritime simulation and autonomy.
• Avikus: HD Hyundai subsidiary focused on autonomous navigation solutions for ships. Most direct competitor to JMS in the autonomous ship navigation space, with commercial deployments underway.
• BMT Group: UK-headquartered maritime engineering, consulting, and technology firm offering naval architecture, port planning, and vessel safety consulting — directly comparable to JMS's maritime consulting business.
• Mitsubishi Research Institute: Japanese policy think tank and consulting firm that co-PMOs the DFFAS+ autonomous ship consortium with JMS. Comparable in maritime policy consulting and autonomous ship program management.

Others

• Furuno Electric: Japanese marine electronics manufacturer; hosts JMS's land-based support center and supplies ECDIS for simulators. Ecosystem partner rather than competitor, with overlapping marine navigation customers.
• ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai): Japanese classification society that certifies JMS's training programs and autonomous ship trials. While a partner/customer rather than competitor, it shapes the regulatory environment JMS operates within.

Broad incumbents

• Wärtsilä: Finnish maritime technology conglomerate that owns Transas (simulators) and offers ship navigation, automation, and SmartShip ecosystem. Competes with JMS in simulators and increasingly in autonomous shipping.

Regional players

• Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL): Japanese major shipping company and DFFAS+ consortium member pursuing its own autonomous ship initiatives (e.g., MITSUI LINER). Comparable customer profile and parallel autonomous ship investments to JMS's parent NYK Line.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/japan-marine-science-inc-

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Japan Marine Science