Page 20: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2026)

TECHNOLOGY straightforward: identify technologies early, prove their value through disciplined trials, and scale only those solutions capa- ble of delivering measurable improvements across emissions, e? ciency, safety and future workforce challenges.

Togasaki’s job is not about inventing new technologies, rather creating a repeatable process for ? nding the right ones — and separating promising concepts from practical ? eet so- lutions.

“IINO has set three targets in innovation,” Togasaki said. “First, decarbonization for net-zero by 2050. Second, autono- mous technologies to cope with labor shortage. Third is digi- talization using AI.”

Those three objectives, he explains, are not independent initiatives. The technologies that attract the most attention are those capable of addressing multiple objectives simultaneously.

BEYOND INDIVIDUAL TECHNOLOGIES

Unlike many corporate innovation programs that chase the latest product demonstration or startup pitch, IINO begins with operational challenges rather than technology itself.

The company asks a simple question: Does this technology solve more than one problem?

For example, an AI-powered Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) simulation platform isn’t viewed solely as an emissions tool.

It also represents a digital transformation initiative capable of improving voyage planning and operational decision making.

Likewise, autonomous shipping isn’t simply about replac-

Kenji Togasaki, ing human labor. “It covers all three (IINO Lines) targets,”

Togasaki said.

SVP, Innovation Of? ce,

Whether the technology involves emissions reduction, op- erational e? ciency or vessel automation, the end goal remains

IINO Lines (USA) “IINO has set three targets in innovation. First, decarbonization for net-zero by 2050. Second, autonomous technologies to

Watch the full cope with labor interview with shortage. Third

Kenji Togasaki @ is digitalization using AI.”

Images on this page courtesy IINO Lines 20 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • August 2026

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