Japan Marine United Akane (MSV-2051)

History

Akane (MSV-2051) is the first high-speed landing craft of a new Japanese Maneuver Support Vessel program intended to move personnel, vehicles and equipment between islands and shore locations with limited port infrastructure. The vessel uses the CAIMEN landing craft design developed by BMT and is built in Japan by Japan Marine United.

The approximately 35 m vessel has an aluminium hull with a distinctive tri-bow configuration. It is designed for high-speed coastal transit and beaching operations, allowing personnel and vehicles to be loaded or unloaded where conventional port facilities are unavailable.

Akane was launched at Japan Marine United's Tsurumi Shipyard in Yokohama on 17 September 2026. Completion and delivery are scheduled for March 2027, after which the vessel is planned to serve with the Japan Self-Defense Force Maritime Transport Group.

Development

Japan established the Maritime Transport Group in March 2025 as a joint organization involving the Maritime, Ground and Air Self-Defense Forces. Its role includes the rapid and flexible movement of personnel, vehicles and equipment between Japan's islands, particularly in the southwestern region where some destinations have limited port infrastructure.

Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency awarded Japan Marine United a contract in December 2025 for the design and construction of the next-generation high-speed landing craft. BMT supplies the CAIMEN landing craft design, while Japan Marine United performs the production design and construction in Japan. The program represents the first application of a BMT vessel design to a Japanese shipbuilding program.

The Japanese design is derived from the CAIMEN family of landing craft. Its tri-bow hull form was selected to combine relatively high transit speed with the manoeuvrability, stability and seakeeping characteristics required for operations close to shore and for beaching.

Launch and delivery program

The first vessel was launched and formally named Akane on 17 September 2026 at Japan Marine United's Yokohama facilities. It carries the designation MSV-2051. The vessel is scheduled for completion and delivery in March 2027 following outfitting and trials.

The program covers four vessels. Three additional craft are scheduled for delivery to the Maritime Transport Group during fiscal year 2027. The vessels are intended to support transport operations around Japan's southwestern islands and are planned to operate from Amami Oshima.

Design

Hull and beaching arrangement

Akane is approximately 35 m long and 8 m wide and has an aluminium hull. The CAIMEN-derived hull uses a distinctive three-bow configuration intended to provide stability and manoeuvrability while retaining the ability to conduct relatively fast transits.

The vessel has a draft of approximately 1.5 m and is specifically designed for operations at small ports, remote islands and beaches. Vehicle access is provided at both ends of the vessel, with ramp or gangway arrangements allowing personnel and vehicles to embark and disembark during shore operations.

Propulsion

Akane is powered by three diesel engines with a combined rated output of approximately 5,700 kW. The engines drive three waterjet propulsion units. The vessel is designed for a speed of approximately 18 knots while transporting vehicles and personnel.

Transport role

The craft is designed to transport military personnel, vehicles and other equipment between sea and shore. Its beaching capability reduces dependence on developed harbor facilities and supports transport to smaller islands and coastal locations where large conventional transport vessels cannot readily unload.

Program status

As of September 2026, Akane has been launched but has not yet entered operational service. Outfitting, testing and completion remain scheduled ahead of delivery in March 2027.

The four planned vessels are intended for the Maritime Transport Group. Their primary employment is expected to include rapid movement of personnel, vehicles and equipment across the southwestern Japanese islands and other locations where established port infrastructure is limited.

Specifications (Akane MSV-2051)

General characteristics

• Type: High-speed landing craft / Maneuver Support Vessel
• Standard displacement: approximately 150 tonnes
• Length: approximately 35 m
• Maximum breadth: approximately 8 m
• Depth: approximately 3 m
• Draft: approximately 1.5 m
• Hull: Aluminium, tri-bow configuration
• Crew: approximately 10

Propulsion and performance

• Main machinery: 3 diesel engines
• Total rated power: approximately 5,700 kW
• Propulsion: 3 waterjet units
• Speed: approximately 18 knots

Transport equipment

• Access equipment: 2 gangway or ramp units for loading and unloading personnel and vehicles

Related equipment

• CAIMEN family: The BMT landing craft design family from which the Japanese Akane configuration was developed.