In a move that could reshape maritime surveillance and monitoring, Kamakura-based startup Oceanic Constellations has teamed up with Keihin Dock, the shipbuilding arm of Japan Mail Ship Group. The joint demonstration contract, announced on October 23, 2025, aims to establish mass production infrastructure for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), paving the way for the world’s first USV constellation program, dubbed “Ocean Satellite Swarm™.”
This isn’t just about building boats—it’s about reimagining how we monitor the oceans. The partnership leverages digital engineering to scale USV production, combining Keihin Dock’s shipbuilding expertise with Oceanic Constellations’ marine digital twin technology and autonomous vehicle development capabilities. The goal? A network of USVs that function like a satellite constellation, providing continuous 24/7 ocean monitoring.
The USV constellation concept borrows from the space industry’s playbook, deploying multiple unmanned vessels to create sensor and communication networks. This approach tackles critical maritime challenges head-on: illegal fishing, smuggling, disaster response, marine resource management, and maritime security. By maintaining a persistent presence in the world’s oceans, these USVs could revolutionize how we address these issues.
Toshiro Nakamura, president of Keihin Dock, emphasized the project’s alignment with the company’s management philosophy: “Creating solutions, products, and human capital for society, our customers, and our team.” Keihin Dock brings its shipbuilding and repair technologies to the table, along with expertise in digital and energy transformation within the sector.
Oceanic Constellations CEO Takuma Honda highlighted the partnership’s roots in their earlier collaboration with Japan Mail Ship on offshore reusable rockets. “By combining Keihin Dock’s long-cultivated shipbuilding technology with our autonomous vehicle integration development technology, we are advancing toward Japan’s first new industry creation through USV constellation technology,” Honda said.
Founded in November 2023, Oceanic Constellations is no stranger to innovation. The startup boasts a multidisciplinary team from aerospace, IT, academia, and the automotive sector. With 25 marine swarm control patents filed and 18 already granted, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of USV technology. Targeting commercialization by 2027, Oceanic Constellations has already established partnerships with central ministries, local governments, marine industries, and academic institutions, setting the stage for global market expansion.
This collaboration could be a game-changer, not just for Japan but for the global maritime industry. By integrating swarm control and energy management technologies into USV constellation architecture, Oceanic Constellations and Keihin Dock are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in ocean monitoring and management. As the project progresses, it will be fascinating to see how this technology evolves and the impact it has on maritime security and environmental stewardship.