© Kawasaki
The company’s “Minatomae” system builds on Kawasaki’s technologies for filtering, sterilising and other water treatments used for industrial plants, as well as its fluid control technologies for developing marine vessels, marine machinery and railcars.
According to the company, the system prevents viruses and parasites from entering farms, and allows for marine farming at locations near ports and coastal areas that are close to consumers and distribution centres.
In the period between 2022 and 2025, Kawasaki conducted four aquaculture tests, and starting in January 2025, the fifth test is being conducted for farming rainbow trout near the Port of Kobe.
The Minatomae system explained
Kawasaki launched a project in 2021 to develop technology for aquaculture that is sustainable, leaves a small environmental footprint, and is robust against external factors such as red tides (harmful algal blooms) and water temperature changes.
Named Minatomae, meaning “right-by-the-port”, this project aims to utilise coastal areas close to consumers and distribution centres that have not been used previously for aquaculture.
© Kawasaki
1. It includes the following Kawasaki technologies
• Application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis
The flow of water in the tank was simulated using the CFD technology Kawasaki has accumulated over many years of developing marine vessels, marine machinery, and railcars. The accurate forecast of water flow allows for optimal configuration of the equipment to be used in actual fish farming.
• Controlled supply of oxygen
To maintain the oxygen level of the water inside the tank, environmental control expertise used for developing water treatment plants has been applied. As a result, a technology for controlling the supply of oxygen at a level of precision previously not possible was developed. The oxygen level inside the tank is monitored in real-time utilising sensing technology, which allows for automated control of oxygen supply.
• Knowledge of sloshing dynamics
To forecast the water surface behaviour inside the semi-closed tank, knowledge of sloshing dynamics in liquefied gas tanks was applied to achieve a stable farming environment, which is critical in maintaining the quality of cultured fish.
2. Aquaculture performed in minimal space with a controlled sea surface
Based on Kawasaki’s existing technologies mentioned above, a new technology for aquaculture in a semi-closed environment was developed, which prevents viruses and parasites from entering the farm as much as possible, and optimizes properties of the seawater and oxygen supply. Also, by enabling high-density fish farming, the system minimizes the occupied space.
3. Eco-friendly
Because the properties of the water are controlled, chemical-free aquaculture that imposes the least environmental impact is possible. The system also extracts microplastics from the seawater taken in to the system and improves the oceanic environment.
4. Near-port, near-coast aquaculture reduces distribution costs and energy use, and achieves a stable supply of cultured fish
This system makes aquaculture possible in the sea near ports and coastal areas previously not used for fish farming, enabling fish farmers to stably deliver safe and fresh fish from locations close to consumers. Because farming is conducted close to areas of consumption, transport distance is short, less management for temperature control and storage is necessary, transport costs and energy use are significantly reduced, and smaller environmental impact is imposed.
5. Year-round aquaculture utilising previously-unused cold energy and waste heat
In the future, the system will be upgraded to utilize cold energy from liquefied natural gas or liquefied hydrogen, waste heat from factories and renewable energy, to maintain optimal temperatures for the fish, which will make aquaculture possible all year round.
6. High-quality fish
This system grows fish in an environment where entry of viruses and parasites is prevented, water properties are controlled, and the high quality of the fish is maintained by proper water circulation, resulting in safe and tasty marine products. By applying the system to various types of fish, domestically-grown, fresh, and high value-added marine products can be made available all year round.
