Named after 'Genbu', the Black Tortoise of the Four Symbols in Chinese mythology and the guardian of water, GENBU made her debut amid heavy rain and strong winds that swept in suddenly after days of calm autumn weather -- almost as if Genbu himself were blessing the occasion. Despite the dramatic turn in weather, more than 80 guests representing 50+ companies gathered to witness the event -- marking the largest attendance ever for a Kyokuyo delivery ceremony. Many were key players in Japan’s domestic shipping industry.

Prior to the ceremony, with the generous support of the Japan Shipbuilders’ Association (JSSA), students from the National Fisheries University in Shimonoseki were invited aboard for a special ship tour. Experiencing the vessel’s advanced systems and comfortable living quarters, the students left visibly inspired about their futures in the maritime field.

During the ceremony, the vessel was officially named by a representative of Sea Grove Co., Ltd., the shipowner, and the mooring rope was ceremonially cut by a representative from IKOUS Corporation, the vessel’s management company -- officially sending GENBU off on her journey.

GENBU is the only newbuild vessel in Phase 2 of "MEGURI2040,” a groundbreaking project by The Nippon Foundation aimed at realizing fully autonomous ship operations. As the flagship of the program, GENBU will serve as a commercial testbed for real-world automation trials -- a world-first trial of fully autonomous operations using a commercial merchant ship.

Designed to navigate the seas one step ahead, GENBU is equipped with an advanced suite of automation and remote-operation technologies that support navigation, berthing, cargo operations, and more. In close coordination with a land-based operation center, the vessel operates within an integrated system that sets it apart from conventional coastal container ships.

On the cargo side, GENBU maximizes efficiency by eliminating 20-foot container slots and focusing on high-cube 40-foot containers. A newly developed “In-Hold High-Cube 4-Tier Stowage” design allows for dramatically improved loading capacity, including space for up to 140 FEU of refrigerated containers.

Crew well-being was also top of mind in the design. The vessel features high-spec interior fittings, a women-only section, a double-deck theater hall (currently used as a golf simulation room), and even a crew office nicknamed the “GENBU Café.”

With so many groundbreaking features, GENBU attracted plenty of attention -- and applause -- at the celebration party, where a commemorative video of the ship and delivery ceremony was screened to great acclaim.

Born not only from Kyokuyo’s shipbuilding vision, but also as a vessel representing the future of shipping in Japan -- and perhaps even the world -- GENBU is poised to lead the way forward.

We wish her fair winds, safe voyages, and above all, a successful journey as the flagship of MEGURI2040.

[2025/10/28]