Eight Knot Inc. (headquartered in Kita-ku, Osaka; CEO: Yujin Kimura; hereinafter “Eight Knot”) announced on July 30, 2026, that its project, “Malaysia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam / Feasibility Study on the Introduction of Autonomous Navigation AI Systems for Vessels,” has been selected for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s FY2025 Supplementary Budget Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project Subsidy (Small-Scale Demonstration and Feasibility Study Program).
The selected project aims to assess the local regulations, market conditions, customer needs, competitive landscape, and financial feasibility required to introduce autonomous navigation AI systems for vessels in Malaysia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The project will also examine market potential in neighboring Southeast Asian countries and develop a roadmap toward local demonstrations and commercialization of autonomous navigation technology.
Special website for the FY2025 Supplementary Budget Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project Subsidy (Small-Scale Demonstration and Feasibility Study Program)
https://r7h-gs-hojo-web-fspoc.jp/
Eight Knot develops and provides Eight Knot AI CAPTAIN, a vessel intelligence technology built around AI and robotics. Through capabilities including vessel localization and situational awareness, route generation, vessel control, and remote monitoring, as well as retrofit installation on existing vessels, Eight Knot is working to address maritime industry challenges such as crew shortages, improved safety, and reduced operational burden.
Southeast Asia has diverse demand for maritime transportation, logistics, port operations, and coastal activities, including across its many island regions. At the same time, the region faces increasingly visible challenges related to safe navigation, reduced crewing requirements, and operational efficiency. Through this project, Eight Knot will examine the regulations, vessel operating conditions, and local needs in each country and region, and assess the feasibility of business models that utilize autonomous navigation technology.
Building on the autonomous navigation and vessel intelligence technologies and implementation expertise developed in Japan, Eight Knot will explore opportunities to collaborate with local vessel operators, shipyards, marine equipment manufacturers, and sales and implementation partners. Through these efforts, the company will accelerate initiatives toward demonstrations and commercial deployment in Southeast Asia.
Overview of the Selected Project
Project Title
Malaysia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam / Feasibility Study on the Introduction of Autonomous Navigation AI Systems for Vessels
Target Countries
Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam
Key Areas of Study
- Local regulations and institutional frameworks related to autonomous navigation AI systems for vessels
- Market potential, including market size, applications, and deployment conditions
- Challenges and customer needs among vessel operators and other relevant stakeholders
- Trends among local and international competitors
- Financial feasibility based on anticipated deployment and operation
- Market potential in neighboring Southeast Asian countries
- Development of a roadmap toward local demonstrations and commercialization
Next Steps
Through this study, Eight Knot will identify the regulations, vessel operating conditions, customer challenges, and deployment requirements in each country, and define priority markets and market-entry approaches.
Eight Knot will continue advancing initiatives toward local demonstrations and commercial deployment, with the aim of enabling the real-world adoption of autonomous navigation technology that contributes to improved vessel safety, reduced crewing requirements, and greater operational efficiency across Southeast Asia.