Sagami Unyu Soko and Oceanic Constellations Sign Strategic Collaboration Agreement to Realize 'Marine DX'

On June 16, 2026, Oceanic Constellations Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "the Company") signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Sagami Unyu Soko Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture; hereinafter "Sagami Unyu Soko") to realize "Marine DX" centered on the development of an advanced marine drone hub in the maritime city of Yokosuka. This strategic collaboration, symbolized by the concept of "Onko Sōshin" (Innovation from Tradition; note: "Sō" signifies the blue ocean, symbolizing a blue ocean strategy), integrates Sagami Unyu Soko’s 140 years of accumulated expertise and network in logistics and port operations with the Company’s advanced technologies in marine drone development and manufacturing. The core initiative is the joint establishment of a marine drone R&D and manufacturing base, aiming to realize "Marine DX" in Yokosuka through enhanced port utilization, port management support, and public benefit enhancement.

Marine drones [1] are expected to significantly contribute not only to addressing challenges such as labor shortages and safety assurance in marine and port fields but also to solving societal issues like disaster response and continuous illegal fishing monitoring. Both companies position this strategic partnership as the starting point for Japan’s most advanced technological development and social implementation suitable for the maritime city of Yokosuka, jointly constructing a facility that comprehensively supports marine drone development, manufacturing, shipping, and operations.

Going forward, both companies will accelerate value creation for stakeholders and local communities by establishing best practices in marine and port fields in Yokosuka, contributing to the sustainable development of safe and secure marine and port environments through "Marine DX."

[1] Marine drones refer to the general term for unmanned vehicles operated autonomously or remotely in marine environments, encompassing Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) that navigate on water and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) that navigate underwater (including autonomous AUVs and remotely operated ROVs). The Japanese government, through the Marine Working Group of the Japan Growth Strategy Meeting (Cabinet Office), has positioned marine drones (marine drones) as key products and technologies in strategic fields that could become winning areas in the marine sector. (Source: Cabinet Office, 3rd Meeting Materials of the Japan Growth Strategy Meeting, "Key Products and Technologies in 17 Strategic Fields")

[Background]

Currently, numerous social challenges are becoming apparent in the marine and port sectors, including labor shortages, an aging workforce, frequent natural disasters due to climate change, and increasing needs for maritime safety and security. On the other hand, an environment conducive to realizing "Marine DX"—capable of solving these challenges through advanced technologies represented by marine drones—is now taking shape.

Sagami Unyu Soko has, since its founding in Meiji 19 (1886), upheld the corporate philosophy of "providing better logistics" and has supported socio-economic activities through its network of bases in Yokosuka, Yokohama, Tokyo, and Chiba, surrounding Tokyo Bay. The Company, invited to startup strategy discussions held at the Prime Minister's Office, is a rapidly growing marine-origin startup representing Japan, advancing the development, manufacturing, and operation of innovative marine drones. By combining their respective strengths of tradition and innovation, both companies will strongly promote transforming Yokosuka into a core hub for the social implementation of marine drones and solving challenges in the marine and port sectors while enhancing public welfare.

[Overview of Strategic Collaboration]

The two companies will realize "Marine DX" through the following initiatives:

Joint Establishment of a Marine Drone R&D and Manufacturing Base

The two companies will jointly establish a marine drone R&D and manufacturing base in Yokosuka City. By integrating Sagami Unyu Soko’s operational know-how in port and warehouse bases with OC’s marine drone development technologies, they will construct an advanced facility equipped with mass production capabilities for drones. This will activate the use of port functions associated with drone shipping and promote increased and automated vessel arrivals.

Advanced Port Utilization

By comprehensively supporting marine drone development, manufacturing, shipping, and operations, the two companies will develop Yokosuka into a domestic leading hub for the development and social implementation of advanced marine and port technologies. As a mass-production-capable facility, it will stimulate port usage due to increased cargo handling, contributing to local employment and tax revenue, thereby creating ripple effects on the regional economy.

Port Management Support

Utilizing marine drones, the companies will contribute to confirming sea surface conditions during normal and disaster periods, water depth in shipping lanes and anchorages, floating debris, and environmental impact surveys for port construction. Additionally, they will realize continuous monitoring functions in marine and underwater environments to support safe and smooth port management and operations.

Public Benefit Enhancement

Beyond port management, the companies will contribute to enhancing public welfare based on cross-agency social demands, such as early detection of persons in distress (Japan Coast Guard), prevention of smuggling (Customs), and prevention of illegal fishing (Fisheries Cooperatives, Japan Coast Guard). Through base development leveraging the diverse charm and potential of the maritime city of Yokosuka, they will pursue value creation for the entire local community.

[Comment from Suzuki Minoru, President and CEO, Sagami Unyu Soko Co., Ltd.]

Sagami Unyu Soko has fulfilled its public mission as a logistics and port company for 140 years since its founding, under the corporate philosophy of "providing better logistics." Looking toward the next 150 and 200 years, we will evolve our "connecting power" into new value. We are very pleased to partner with Oceanic Constellations, which possesses advanced marine drone technology, to undertake the new challenge of "Marine DX" in Yokosuka, our founding city. While contributing to the local community, we will jointly pioneer the future of marine and port industries.

[Comment from Obata Masaaki, Co-CEO, Oceanic Constellations Co., Ltd.]

We are deeply honored to collaborate with Sagami Unyu Soko, which has long supported the marine and port sectors. The marine drones we develop hold the potential to create essential societal value, including maritime safety assurance, disaster response, and advanced port utilization. Starting from our base in Yokosuka, we will integrate Sagami Unyu Soko’s rich expertise and network with the pinnacle of our advanced technologies to jointly realize "Marine DX" and enhance public welfare.

About Sagami Unyu Soko Co., Ltd.

Since its founding in Yokosuka in Meiji 19 (1886), Sagami Unyu Soko has, for 140 years, upheld the corporate philosophy of "providing better logistics" and has supported socio-economic activities through its logistics functions. The company operates business bases in Yokosuka, Yokohama, Tokyo, and Chiba surrounding Tokyo Bay, and also maintains heavy cargo warehouses equipped with large overhead cranes in Ayase (Kanagawa Prefecture) and Ota (Gunma Prefecture). Leveraging extensive experience and the management principle of "credibility first," the company continuously utilizes new information and technologies to provide logistics and port services that contribute to customer prosperity.

About Oceanic Constellations Co., Ltd.

The company is a marine startup founded in Kamakura in November 2023, bringing together members from diverse fields such as marine, aerospace, IT, academia, automotive, government, and aviation. Having raised approximately ¥4 billion in cumulative funding since inception, the company currently employs around 50