Through this system, Kawasaki aims to propose new possibilities for aquaculture in port areas and near the coast

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Unveils Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation to Boost Global Food Security

“MINATOMAE” system enables safe, eco-friendly fish farming near ports and coastlines, aiming to transform the future of aquaculture in Japan and beyond

Kawasaki Heavy Industries is pioneering a sustainable aquaculture system designed to support global food security. Drawing from its deep expertise in marine, environmental, and fluid control technologies, the company has developed an innovative solution that enables fish farming in coastal and port areas—delivering fresh, safe, and high-quality seafood to urban centers while minimizing environmental impact.

Leveraging decades of technological development across plants, ships, marine equipment, and railway vehicles, Kawasaki’s aquaculture system prevents the intrusion of viruses and parasites, offering a controlled and resilient alternative to traditional open-sea farming. Since 2022, four cultivation trials have been conducted, with the most recent trout salmon trial underway since January 2025 in the waters adjacent to the company’s Kansai Kobe Works at Kobe Port.

Photo: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd

Introducing the “MINATOMAE” System

Sustainable aquaculture for a changing world

As the global population heads toward 10 billion by 2050, the demand for sustainable protein sources is rising sharply. Climate change, geopolitical risks, marine resource depletion, and transportation challenges are putting increasing pressure on global and local food systems—including in Japan, where food self-sufficiency remains low. Kawasaki’s response: a low-impact, semi-closed marine aquaculture system named “MINATOMAE.”

Developed since 2021, the MINATOMAE system supports aquaculture in underutilized nearshore areas—such as ports and coastal waters—allowing for production closer to consumer hubs. This approach offers a new path forward for aquaculture, reducing dependency on distant fishing grounds and boosting resilience in Japan’s primary industries.

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Key Features of the MINATOMAE System

1. Advanced In-House Technologies

• CFD Analysis for Optimal Flow: Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Kawasaki models water movement within fish tanks to optimize equipment placement and ensure ideal breeding conditions.

• Smart Oxygen Control: Built on water treatment technologies, a sophisticated sensing and control system automatically adjusts oxygen levels in real-time to maintain fish health and growth.

• Sloshing Analysis for Stability: Expertise from LNG tank development is used to predict water surface motion inside the pens, ensuring a stable environment crucial to fish welfare and quality.

2. Enhanced Biosecurity and Water Quality The system’s semi-closed design limits external contamination from viruses and parasites while enabling precise seawater and oxygen regulation. High-density cultivation also minimizes ocean surface usage.

3. Environmental Responsibility Drug-free aquaculture is achieved through proactive water quality management. Additionally, when seawater is pumped in, microplastics are simultaneously filtered out, contributing to marine cleanup efforts.

4. Proximity to Markets Aquaculture near ports and cities dramatically reduces transportation costs, energy usage, and cold-chain demands. This not only cuts carbon emissions but allows fish production to align more closely with market demand, stabilizing supply and enhancing freshness.

5. Year-Round Cultivation with Recycled Energy The system is designed for future expansion using waste cold energy (e.g., from liquefied gas or factory exhaust) and renewable sources to maintain optimal temperatures year-round.

6. High-Quality, High-Value Fish By eliminating disease vectors and optimizing rearing conditions, MINATOMAE produces delicious, safe, and high-quality fish. The system is flexible enough to support multiple fish species and supply fresh domestic seafood throughout the year.

Photo: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd

Collaborating for a New Aquaculture Model

Kawasaki is working alongside Maruha Nichiro Corporation—a leader in fisheries and seafood distribution. Since 2022, Maruha Nichiro has supported the development of MINATOMAE by providing expertise in fish farming and logistics. After four successful pilot tests, real-world trials began in Kobe Port in early 2025. This partnership combines Kawasaki’s engineering strengths and Maruha Nichiro’s extensive distribution networks and aquaculture know-how to build a new, scalable aquaculture model.

Pilot Cultivation Underway at Kobe Port

From January to April 2025, Kawasaki is conducting real-world trout salmon cultivation using the MINATOMAE system in the waters adjacent to its Kobe facility. These trials mark a key step toward full-scale commercialization of this next-generation aquaculture technology.

Photo: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd

Developer’s Perspective

“In 2017, I attended an international conference as an LNG carrier engineer, which inspired me to launch the MINATOMAE project with a mission to apply our technologies to social challenges,” shared the lead project engineer.
“Thanks to the support of passionate colleagues and collaborators, we’ve made real progress. This project is more than aquaculture—it’s about revitalizing local economies, ensuring food security, and helping create a sustainable, ocean-friendly future for Japan.”

Photo: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd

A Legacy of Innovation, A Vision for the Future

Since its founding in 1896, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has been at the forefront of solving social challenges through technological innovation—on land, sea, and air. Under its Group Vision 2030, "Trustworthy Solutions for the Future," Kawasaki is committed to creating a safer, more sustainable society through initiatives in food security, environmental stewardship, and next-generation infrastructure.

With the MINATOMAE system, Kawasaki aims to build a year-round, sustainable aquaculture model that supports global food needs, protects the ocean, and powers the future of the fishing industry in Japan and around the world.

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