Japan turns to AI to streamline ship inspections

October 20 ------ Japanese maritime AI startup Noahlogy has secured a contract from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) to study how artificial intelligence can support expert decision-making in ship inspections, as authorities explore ways to improve efficiency while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

The project, titled Study on Advanced Support for Expert Judgment in Ship Inspections Utilizing AI, will examine how AI could assist with inspection-related tasks, including the review of technical drawings and documentation. The study is scheduled to run from August 2026 to March 2027.

Based in Tokyo, Noahlogy is a University of Tokyo spin-off specializing in artificial intelligence and digital transformation for the maritime sector. The company said it would draw on its AI capabilities and industry-specific expertise to assess where the technology could provide practical support to government-administered ship inspections.

AI to support drawing reviews and inspection processes

Ship inspections require specialized technical assessments to verify that vessels comply with applicable regulations and safety requirements. These assessments include reviewing drawings and calculation sheets, as well as conducting onboard checks of structures and equipment.

However, the complexity of these tasks, combined with the need to maintain inspection quality, has increased the focus on improving productivity across inspection operations. Under the MLIT contract, Noahlogy will first examine existing workflows for drawing reviews and other ship inspection activities. The study will then identify tasks where AI assistance could be feasible and define the requirements for introducing the technology. The company will also assess the potential benefits of implementation and estimate the budget required to develop and operate an AI agent for ship inspection support.

Rather than immediately introducing an automated inspection system, the project will focus on establishing where AI can assist expert judgement and what would be needed to implement it effectively.

Balancing efficiency with safety and regulatory compliance

The MLIT study reflects a wider effort to explore how digital technologies can support maritime operations without compromising the technical expertise required for safety-critical decisions. In ship inspections, AI could potentially help specialists process large volumes of documentation, identify information requiring closer examination and streamline repetitive review tasks.

However, the scope and effectiveness of such applications will depend on the findings of the study, including the quality of available data, the reliability of AI outputs and the requirements for human oversight.

The distinction is particularly important where inspection decisions affect a vessel’s compliance with safety regulations. AI-assisted analysis may help inspectors work more efficiently, but its practical role will need to be defined alongside clear validation and accountability arrangements. The project is expected to provide a basis for assessing the feasibility, operational benefits and costs of AI-supported ship inspection processes.

Source: safety4sea.com