World's First Commercial Operation at Level 4 Autonomous Driving Equivalent (※2) Begins for Newly Built Coastal Container Ship Equipped with World's Most Advanced Autonomous Navigation Function

EIZO Corporation (Headquarters: Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, President & COO: Masaki Ebisu) is participating in the "MEGURI2040" (hereinafter referred to as MEGURI2040) ※3 project, promoted by The Nippon Foundation. In this project, the autonomous navigation demonstration experiments for "Genbu," a newly built coastal container ship and the only new vessel for autonomous navigation, have been completed. The ship obtained certification regarding autonomous ships from ClassNK on January 26th and passed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's ship inspection as an autonomous ship on January 28th.

Following this, on January 30th, 2026, the world's first commercial operation carrying general cargo at Level 4 autonomous driving equivalent ※2 began on a regular route. With this commercial operation as a starting point, the expansion of social implementation of unmanned ships is expected to reduce the burden on crew members, reform working styles, stabilize logistics, and ultimately strengthen the competitiveness of Japan's shipbuilding and maritime industries. Coastal Container Ship "Genbu"

Bridge of "Genbu"

※1 According to The Nippon Foundation (as of January 2026). This is the world's first case of starting "steady practical operation" at Level 4 autonomous driving equivalent on a regular cargo route. ※2 Level 4 autonomous driving equivalent refers to a technological stage where full autonomous navigation is partially possible. It refers to full autonomous driving without human intervention in specific areas or under specific conditions. (Definitions of autonomous navigation for ships are currently being discussed by the IMO, etc. The definition for automobiles is being used as a proxy.) Reference: https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001226541.pdf ※3 Unmanned Ship Project MEGURI2040 "Subsidy Program for Technology Development for Social Implementation of Unmanned Ships" This subsidy system supports technology development by promoting the practical application of unmanned ships, fostering further momentum for technology development in this field, and consequently promoting transformation of Japan's logistics, economy, and social infrastructure. A consortium of 53 diverse domestic companies, "Designing the Future of Fully Autonomous Ships Plus" (hereinafter referred to as DFFAS+), is working on the development of technology for unmanned ships. Reference: