Management device, management method, and supply chain management system

Abstract

A management device according to the present invention comprises a control unit that controls an intermediate growth device that intermediately grows a target product, which absorbs CO2, in the sea in a supply chain that immobilizes the CO2in the sea using the target product.

Description

Management device, management method, and supply chain management system

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device, a management method, and a supply chain management system.

[0002] Following the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 as a measure to address the climate change crisis caused by global warming, the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2016, which established common global guidelines and targets for global CO2 emissions. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, attention has been focused on technologies to artificially fix atmospheric CO2. Examples of artificial fixation methods include Direct Air Capture (DAC), which uses physical / chemical methods to separate and capture CO2 from the atmosphere, and green carbon on land and blue carbon in the ocean, which fix CO2 from the atmosphere through natural processes such as photosynthesis.

[0003] Among these, blue carbon was defined in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report "Blue Carbon" published in 2009, and has attracted global attention as a new option for carbon sink measures. One specific method proposed involves cultivating and growing large seaweed in the ocean or on land, then allowing it to settle and be isolated on the seabed, thereby fixing CO2 in the ocean (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Japan Special Table No. 2023-526226

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a supply chain system capable of fixing CO2 in the ocean on a large scale.

[0006] The management device of the present disclosure includes a control unit that controls an intermediate growing device that intermediately grows a target product that absorbs CO2 in the sea in a supply chain that fixes CO2 in the sea using the target product.

[0007] The management method disclosed herein is a supply chain management method for immobilizing CO2 in the sea using a target product that absorbs CO2, wherein a management device performs an intermediate growth process for controlling intermediate growth of the target product in the sea.

[0008] The supply chain management system disclosed herein includes an intermediate growing device that grows seedlings of a target product planted in a structure in a coastal area, and an offshore transportation device that tows the target product after intermediate growing and transports it to an offshore area.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a management device that can fix atmospheric CO2 in the ocean on a large scale.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a supply chain management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an intermediate development device in a supply chain management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a structure 10 in a supply chain management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an offshore launching process using a surface drone in the management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a sinking process in the management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a supply chain management method according to this embodiment.

[0011] (Supply Chain Management System) One embodiment of the present invention is a supply chain management system that uses a target product that absorbs CO2 to immobilize CO2 in the sea, and is a system that executes a series of processes from producing seedlings of the target product, transporting them on land, releasing them into the sea, intermediate raising (aquaculture), transporting them offshore, and sinking them. "Undersea" refers to the entire area that makes up the sea, such as the ocean surface and the seabed. "Offshore" refers to areas including coastal areas, offshore areas, etc. "Seabed" refers to the earth's crust and the ground above it in the sea, with no limit to the distance from the sea surface (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "water depth").

[0012] The inventors have recognized that the conventional method of immobilizing CO2 in the ocean by cultivating and growing large seaweed in marine or land-based facilities, followed by sedimentation and sequestration on the seabed, is relatively small-scale and therefore has a limited amount of CO2 that can be immobilized. In contrast, the present disclosure enables large-scale immobilization of CO2 in the ocean.

[0013] The overall configuration of a supply chain management system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a supply chain management system according to this embodiment.

[0014] It should be noted that the embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted where appropriate. The scale and shape of each part shown in each drawing are set for convenience to facilitate explanation, and should not be interpreted as limiting unless otherwise specified. In addition, some components that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted from each drawing.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the supply chain management system 1 in this embodiment includes a seedling production facility 301 , a land transportation device 302 , an intermediate growing device 303 , an offshore transportation device 304 , a sinking device 305 , and a management device 306 .

[0016] The seedling production device 301 is a device that produces seeds of a target product, and is connected to a management device 306. The seedling production device 301 is used in facilities that can produce and grow seeds, such as factories and research laboratories.

[0017] The seedling production device 301 may have an image acquisition means for acquiring an image of the seedling of the target product and an information acquisition means for acquiring information on the progress of the growth of the target product, as necessary. The image data and progress information data of the seedling of the target product are transmitted to a data acquisition unit 307 of the management device 306.

[0018] The land transportation device 302 is a device that transports the seeds of the target product produced by the seed production device 301 to the intermediate growing device 303, and is connected to the management device 306. In this embodiment, the seeds of the target product can be transported using a transport vehicle as the land transportation device 302.

[0019] The intermediate growing device 303 is an intermediate growing device that grows the target product seedlings transported by the land transportation device 302 on the sea, and is connected to the management device 306.

[0020] The intermediate growing device 303 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the intermediate growing device in the supply chain management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate growing device 303 has a structure 10 for planting and growing seeds of a target product, and information acquisition means 12 for acquiring growth progress information of the target product. The intermediate growing device 303 may also have other means as necessary, such as image acquisition means 11 for acquiring images of the seeds of the target product.

[0021] The structure 10 may be, for example, a structure as shown in Fig. 3. The structure 10 is not limited to the structure and configuration shown in Fig. 3, and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a structure 10 in a method for producing a target product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the structure 10 includes a buoy 11 that floats on the seawater surface, a fixed member 12 such as a raft or main line, a floating structure 13, a culture rope 14 connected to the floating structure 13, and a sinker 15 attached to the tip of the culture rope 14. A plurality of target products 17 are planted on the culture rope 14. The floating structure 13, the culture rope 14, and the sinker 15 constitute a single unit, and the unit 16 is constructed at sea.

[0023] The use of a raft-structured or mainline-structured fixing member 12 as shown in Figure 3 can prevent the structure 10 from being swept away by the tide. In addition, in order to facilitate the transportation of the target product 17 in the subsequent offshore transportation step S105, it is preferable that the fixing member 12 be detachable from the unit 16 consisting of the culture line 14 on which the target product 17 is grown.

[0024] By making the culture rope 14 mesh-like, high density culture can be achieved using both vertical and horizontal seedling threads, thereby increasing the amount of CO2 absorbed by the target product 17 per cycle.

[0025] The image acquisition means 11 is a means for acquiring images of the seedlings of the target product, and the growth status of the seedlings of the target product can be monitored by the image acquisition means 11. The image data is transmitted to the data acquisition unit 307 of the management device 306. There are no particular limitations on the image acquisition means 11, and it can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, and for example, a camera or the like can be used.

[0026] The information acquisition means 12 is a means for acquiring images and progress information of the target product seedlings. There are no particular limitations on the progress information, and it can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose. Examples of the progress information include the growth rate of the target product seedlings, the separation rate, the nutrient state of the seawater, the tidal current, the water temperature, etc., and the progress information is at least one of these. The progress information data is transmitted to the data acquisition unit 307 of the management device 306.

[0027] The offshore transportation device 304 transports the target product that has been intermediately grown by the intermediate growing device 303 offshore to any predetermined area in the offshore area. In this embodiment, a towing vessel can be used as the offshore transportation device 304. When towing using the towing vessel, the fixing members of the intermediate growing device 303 are detached, and only the unit in which the seedlings of the target product are planted is transported to any predetermined area in the offshore area.

[0028] The sinking device 305 sinks the structure planted with the target product transported by the offshore transportation device 304. By sinking the structure equipped with the target product to the seabed, CO2 can be immobilized in the ocean.

[0029] The management device 306 includes a data acquisition unit 307 and a control unit 308 .

[0030] The data acquisition unit 307 acquires images and progress information data of the seedlings of the target product from the seedling production device 301 and the intermediate growing device 303.

[0031] The control unit 308 controls the supply chain that uses the target product to immobilize CO2 in the ocean. The control unit 308 manages a series of processes in the supply chain based on the images of the target product seedlings and data on the cultivation environment acquired by the data acquisition unit 307.

[0032] The control unit 308 creates an initial plan for the supply chain system based on preset initial parameters, and controls the seedling production facility 301, land transportation device 302, intermediate cultivation device 303, offshore transportation device 304, and sinking device 305 based on the initial plan.

[0033] The initial parameters are not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose. Examples of the initial parameters include characteristic values ​​depending on the type of target product, such as the cultivation interval, growth period, amount of CO2 absorbed, and required nutrients, constants calculated from these characteristic values, and operating costs, and the initial parameters can be at least one of these.

[0034] The control unit 308 creates a seed production plan, an intermediate cultivation plan, a plan for offshore transportation routes and vessel allocations, and a sinking plan for the sinking device based on the progress of the manufacturing process of the target product based on the initial plan.

[0035] The management device 306 is connected to the seedling production device 301, land transport device 302, intermediate growing device 303, offshore transport device 304, and sinking device 305 included in the supply chain management system 1 in this embodiment, and is a device that manages and controls each device, and may be realized, for example, by multiple computers, or may be realized as a cloud computing service.

[0036] The management device 306 in this embodiment is realized by, for example, a computer. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer in this embodiment.

[0037] 4, a computer 500 in this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 504, an input device 505, a display device 506, a communication I / F (Interface) 507, and an external I / F 508. The CPU 501, the ROM 502, and the RAM 503 form a so-called computer. The hardware components of the computer 500 are connected to each other via a bus line 509. The input device 505 and the display device 506 may be connected to the external I / F 508 for use.

[0038] The CPU 501 is a computing device that reads programs and data from a storage device such as the ROM 502 or the HDD 504 onto the RAM 503 and executes processing to realize overall control and functions of the computer 500. The computer 500 may have a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) in addition to or instead of the CPU 501.

[0039] The ROM 502 is an example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 502 functions as a main storage device that stores various programs, data, etc. required for the CPU 501 to execute various programs installed in the HDD 504. Specifically, the ROM 502 stores boot programs such as a Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) and an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) that are executed when the computer 500 starts up, as well as data such as OS (Operating System) settings and network settings.

[0040] The RAM 503 is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) in which programs and data are erased when the power is turned off. The RAM 503 is, for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM). The RAM 503 provides a working area in which various programs installed in the HDD 504 are expanded when executed by the CPU 501.

[0041] The HDD 504 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The programs and data stored in the HDD 504 include an OS, which is basic software that controls the entire computer 500, and applications that provide various functions on the OS. Note that the computer 500 may use a storage device that uses flash memory as a storage medium (e.g., an SSD (Solid State Drive)) instead of the HDD 504.

[0042] The input device 505 includes a touch panel, operation keys and buttons, a keyboard and mouse, a microphone for inputting sound data such as voice, and the like, which are used by the user to input various signals.

[0043] The display device 506 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal display or organic electroluminescence (EL) display for displaying a screen, a speaker for outputting sound data such as voice, and the like.

[0044] The communication I / F 507 is an interface that connects to a communication network and enables the computer 500 to perform data communication.

[0045] The external I / F 508 is an interface with external devices, such as a drive device 510.

[0046] The drive device 510 is a device for loading a recording medium 511. The recording medium 511 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as CD-ROMs, flexible disks, and magneto-optical disks. The recording medium 511 may also include semiconductor memories that record information electrically, such as ROMs and flash memories. This allows the computer 500 to read from and / or write to the recording medium 511 via the external I / F 508.

[0047] The various programs to be installed in the HDD 504 are installed, for example, by setting the distributed recording medium 511 in a drive device 510 connected to the external I / F 508 and reading the various programs recorded on the recording medium 511 by the drive device 510. Alternatively, the various programs to be installed in the HDD 504 may be installed by being downloaded via the communication I / F 507 from a network different from the communication network.

[0048] 5 is a schematic flowchart of a supply chain managed by a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the supply chain includes a seedling production process S101, a land transportation process S102, an offshore release process S103, an intermediate raising process S104, an offshore transportation process S105, and a sinking process S106.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, blue carbon can be realized on a large scale and put into practical use as a solution towards carbon neutrality.

[0050] The seedling production step S101 is a step of producing seedlings from seeds. The seedling production step S101 is performed in a facility capable of producing and growing seedlings, such as a factory or a research institute (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "seedling production facility").

[0051] The target product is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples include sea grapes, millet, hijiki, akamoku, wakame, kelp, nori, mozuku, dulse, algae, and sargassum.

[0052] The land transportation step S102 is a step of transporting the seedlings of the target product produced in the seedling production step S101 by land to a port.

[0053] The method of land transportation is not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, and can be transported by transport vehicle, for example. When transporting seeds by land, they may be transported in a tank together with a large amount of water, but by using a wet mat or the like to save space and reduce weight, it is possible to transport a large amount of seeds in a single transport vehicle, and this can reduce labor costs for land transportation and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

[0054] The offshore release step S103 is a step of planting seedlings of the target product in a structure and transporting the structure planted with the seedlings of the target product out to sea. There are no particular restrictions on the offshore location and it can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, but a coastal area is preferred. The coastal area refers to an area where the water depth from the sea surface to the seabed is less than several tens of meters.

[0055] The method of transportation to the ocean is not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, and can be transported by an ocean transportation device such as a water drone. Water drones can be automated using attached manipulators.

[0056] 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an offshore launching process using a surface drone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, target product seedlings are planted in units 16, which serve as structures, in a unit production area 20. The units 16 planted with the target product seedlings are then transported to a cultivation area 22 by a surface drone 21. The target product seedlings transported to the cultivation area 22 are subsequently cultivated in an intermediate cultivation process S104.

[0057] Conventional seaweed farming involves many manual processes, and there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and effort to set up and harvest in a short period of time, especially at large-scale farms. By using a surface drone to launch the seaweed into the ocean, labor costs for the set-up and harvesting processes can be reduced, and the installation location of the units can be managed appropriately using the surface drone, which allows for closer spacing between units and higher density farming.

[0058] The intermediate growing step S104 is a step of growing the seedlings of the target product planted in the structure on the sea.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, intermediate rearing of the target product is performed offshore before the target product is transported to an offshore area. The degree of growth of the target product during intermediate rearing is not particularly limited as long as the target product can survive stably even when transported to an offshore area, and can be appropriately selected depending on the method of offshore transportation. Rearing may be performed until the target product reaches a certain stage of growth or until the target product reaches full growth. For example, when the offshore transportation is performed by towing, it is preferable to perform intermediate rearing until the target product reaches full growth, since it can be transported to a predetermined offshore area in a short time. When the offshore transportation is performed by drifting, it is preferable to perform intermediate rearing until the target product reaches a certain stage of growth, taking into account the time required to reach the predetermined offshore area and the growth of the target product during this time.

[0060] In the intermediate cultivation step S104, for example, deep sea water can be used to cultivate the target product.

[0061] In conventional aquaculture of target products such as seaweed, seedlings are produced within aquaculture facilities, and once they are ready to be grown, they are installed in an offshore aquaculture area. However, when aquaculture is scaled up, there are concerns about increased costs due to quantitative constraints, seedling sterilization, and temperature and nutrient management. In particular, even if you want to increase the yield, the aquaculture density is determined by limitations on the area available for aquaculture and the distance required for sunlight and nutrients. In addition, seedling production for large-scale aquaculture is carried out in tanks prepared within the facility, but pre-treatment requires high-temperature sterilization of seawater, which increases energy costs. Furthermore, aquatic tanks for seedling production require low temperatures and nutrient-rich seawater, and cooling and nutrient spraying are required, which increases costs and effort.

[0062] In the intermediate cultivation step S104, deep seawater is used to cultivate the target product, which can supplement nutrients, stabilizing the growth of the target product and increasing the final harvest yield. In addition, the use of separately pumped deep seawater eliminates the need for sterilization, reducing the energy costs required for high-temperature sterilization of seedlings for large-scale cultivation.

[0063] Deep seawater can be pumped up to the surface using pipes laid from the ocean to the deep sea, and then sprayed over offshore aquaculture areas.

[0064] The intermediate cultivation period in the intermediate cultivation step S104 is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the type of target product, but is preferably 6 months or more. The intermediate cultivation period can be appropriately changed depending on the growth status of the target product and the state of the ecosystem around the cultivation area.

[0065] The offshore transportation step S105 involves offshore transportation of the structure equipped with the target product after intermediate growth to a predetermined area in the offshore area. The offshore transportation method is not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, and examples include towing and drifting. The offshore area refers to an area where a water depth appropriate for carbon storage in blue carbon can be ensured. Specifically, it refers to an area where the water depth from the sea surface to the seabed is 500 m or more.

[0066] The method of transportation to a predetermined offshore area is not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, and examples include towing using a towing vessel and drifting.

[0067] The period of transportation in the offshore transportation step S105 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected depending on the growth status of the target product and the state of the surrounding ocean currents.

[0068] The sinking step S106 is a step of sinking the structure equipped with the target product to the seabed in a predetermined area offshore. By sinking the structure equipped with the target product to the seabed, CO2 can be fixed in the ocean.

[0069] The method for sinking the structure equipped with the target product to the seabed is not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, but for example, the method shown in Figure 7 can be used.

[0070] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a sinking process in one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the unit 16 includes a floating structure 13 and a culture rope 14 connected to the floating structure 13. To reduce resistance in seawater, the connection points between the floating structure 13 and the culture rope 14 are designed to be rail-like and movable. During sinking, the culture ropes 14 are consolidated by moving the connection points along the rail to narrow the gap between them, and the weight of the culture ropes 14 causes the unit 16 to sink to the seabed. This method minimizes the required weight, thereby reducing the mass of the unit and reducing transportation costs.

[0071] In addition to the sinking process shown in Figure 7, a method can also be used in which the floating structure loses buoyancy at any time, causing it to sink to any location using the weight of the training rope to which the target product is attached or the weight of a sinker. There are no particular restrictions on the floating structure that loses buoyancy at any time, as long as the floating structure itself is made of a material that loses buoyancy through corrosion, biodegradation, decomposition by ultraviolet rays, or the like. The floating structure may also have a signal receiving mechanism that receives a signal sent from the user and a decomposition promoting mechanism that promotes corrosion, biodegradation, or decomposition by ultraviolet rays based on the received signal.

[0072] By using a floating structure that loses buoyancy during the sinking process, there is no need for direct external force from machines or people, so the work and costs involved in sinking can be minimized.

[0073] (Supply Chain Management Method) One embodiment of the supply chain management method of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The supply chain management method of the present disclosure is a method for managing the process from the production of a target product to its sedimentation into the sea in the supply chain management system of the present disclosure, thereby optimizing the economic rationality of the supply chain, maximizing the amount of CO2 fixation, and minimizing management costs.

[0074] The supply chain management method of the present disclosure is executed by the management device 306 .

[0075] 8 is a schematic flowchart of a supply chain management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the supply chain management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes step S201 of setting initial parameters, step S202 of outputting an initial plan, step S203 of creating and outputting a seed production plan, step S204 of creating and outputting an intermediate rearing plan, step S205 of creating and outputting a plan for offshore transportation and sinking, and step S206 of determining each output value.

[0076] Step S201 is a step for setting initial parameters. The initial parameters are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples include constants calculated from values ​​specific to the type of seaweed (growth interval, growth period, CO2 absorption amount, required nutrients, etc.), operating costs, etc.

[0077] Step S202 is a step of outputting an initial plan for producing a target product based on the set initial parameters.

[0078] Step S203 is a step of creating and outputting a seed production plan based on the progress status in the execution process based on the initial plan. The seed production plan is created according to the production progress and yield status of the seed of the target product.

[0079] Step S204 is a step of creating and outputting an intermediate cultivation plan based on the progress of the implementation process based on the initial plan. The intermediate cultivation plan is created based on the growth rate and shedding rate of the target product seedlings, and environmental monitoring conditions such as the nutrient state of seawater, tidal currents, and water temperature.

[0080] Step S205 is a step of creating and outputting a plan for offshore transportation and sinking based on the progress of the manufacturing process during the execution process based on the initial plan. The offshore transportation plan is the route and vessel allocation for offshore transportation, and is created based on the growth rate and shedding rate of the target product seedlings, the nutrient state of seawater, tidal currents, water temperature, and other environmental monitoring conditions.

[0081] Step S206 is a step in which the progress status in the execution process based on the initial plan is compared with the initial plan, the error between the progress status and the initial plan is calculated, and it is determined whether the error deviates from a predetermined normal value (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "threshold value"). If the progress status in each execution process deviates from the normal value, calculation is performed again and a revised plan is output. If the parameters output after executing each step do not deviate from the normal value, the initial plan is continued to be executed. The normal value can be set appropriately by the user.

[0082] This embodiment may be specified by the following items. [Item 1] A management device, in a supply chain in which CO2 is immobilized in the sea using a target product that absorbs CO2, comprising a control unit that controls an intermediate growing device that intermediately grows the target product in the sea. [Item 2] The management device according to item 1, in which the control unit creates an initial plan based on preset initial parameters and controls the intermediate growing device based on the initial plan. [Item 3] The management device according to item 2, in which the initial parameters include a unique value depending on the type of the target product. [Item 4] The management device according to item 2, in which the control unit creates a plan for the intermediate growing based on a progress status in an execution process based on the initial plan. [Item 5] The management device according to item 4, in which the progress status in the execution process is at least one of a growth rate of seedlings of the target product, a dropout rate, a nutrient state of seawater, a tidal current, and a water temperature. [Item 6] The management device according to item 1, wherein the control unit controls an offshore transportation device that transports the target product after the intermediate growth to an offshore area, and creates an offshore transportation plan that represents a navigation route and vessel allocation for offshore transportation based on at least one of a growth rate of seedlings of the target product, a dropout rate, a nutrient state of seawater, a tidal current, and a water temperature. [Item 7] The management device according to item 6, wherein the control unit controls a sinking device that sinks a structure in which the target product transported by the offshore transportation device is planted, and creates a sinking plan for the sinking device based on at least one of a growth rate of seedlings of the target product, a dropout rate, a nutrient state of seawater, a tidal current, and a water temperature. [Item 8] The management device according to item 1, wherein the control unit controls a seed production device that produces seedlings of the target product, and creates a production plan for the seedlings based on progress and yield status of seedling production of the target product. [Item 9] The management device according to item 2, wherein the control unit compares a progress status in an execution process based on the initial plan with the initial plan, calculates an error between the progress status and the initial plan, and determines whether the error is outside a predetermined normal value. [Item 10] The management device according to item 1, wherein deep-sea water is used to cultivate the target product.[Item 11] The management device according to Item 1, wherein the control unit controls an offshore transportation device that transports the structure planted with the seeds of the target product onto the ocean using a surface drone. [Item 12] The management device according to Item 1, wherein the structure planted with the seeds of the target product comprises a floating structure and a culture rope connected to the floating structure at multiple connection points, the connection points being movable, and a sinking device that sinks the structure planted with the seeds of the target product to the seabed by narrowing the distance between the connection points. [Item 13] The management device according to Item 1, wherein the structure planted with the seeds of the target product comprises a floating structure that loses buoyancy after a predetermined time has elapsed, and a culture rope connected to the floating structure. [Item 14] A supply chain management method for immobilizing CO2 in the ocean using a target product that absorbs CO2, wherein the management device performs an intermediate growth process of controlling intermediate growth of the target product in the ocean. [Item 15] A supply chain management system having an intermediate growing device that grows seedlings of a target product planted in a structure in a coastal area, and an offshore transportation device that tows the target product after intermediate growing and transports it to an offshore area.

[0083] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-154274, filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 6, 2024, and incorporates the entire contents of said application by reference.

[0084] 1 Supply Chain Management System 10 Structure 11 Buoy 12 Fixed Member 13 Floating Structure 14 Aquaculture Line 15 Sinker 16 Unit 17 Target Product 20 Unit Creation Area 21 Water Drone 22 Aquaculture Area 301 Seedling Production Device 302 Land Transportation Device 303 Intermediate Growing Device 304 Offshore Transportation Device 305 Sinking Device 306 Management Device

Claims

1. A management device in a supply chain in which CO2 is immobilized in the ocean using a target product that absorbs CO2, the management device comprising a control unit that controls an intermediate growth device that intermediately grows the target product in the ocean.

2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit creates an initial plan based on preset initial parameters and controls the intermediate training device based on the initial plan.

3. The management device according to claim 2, wherein the initial parameters include values ​​specific to the type of the target product.

4. The management device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit creates the intermediate development plan based on the progress of the implementation process based on the initial plan.

5. The management device according to claim 4, wherein the progress status in the execution process is at least one of the growth rate of the target product seedlings, the dropout rate, the nutrient state of seawater, the tidal current, and the water temperature.

6. The management device described in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls an offshore transportation device that transports the target product after the intermediate cultivation to an offshore location, and creates an offshore transportation plan, which is a navigation route and vessel allocation for offshore transportation, based on at least one of the growth rate and dropout rate of the target product seedlings, the nutritional state of the seawater, the tidal current, and the water temperature.

7. The management device described in claim 6, wherein the control unit controls a sinking device that sinks a structure planted with the target product transported by the offshore transportation device, and creates a sinking plan for the sinking device based on at least one of the growth rate and separation rate of the target product seedlings, the nutritional state of the seawater, the tidal current, and the water temperature.

8. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a seed production device that produces seeds of the target product, and creates a production plan for the seeds based on the progress and yield status of the production of seeds of the target product.

9. The management device of claim 2, wherein the control unit compares the progress status in the execution process based on the initial plan with the initial plan, calculates the error between the progress status and the initial plan, and determines whether the error deviates from a predetermined normal value.

10. The management device according to claim 1, wherein deep seawater is used to cultivate the target product.

11. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls an offshore transportation device that transports a structure planted with seeds of the target product onto the ocean using an underwater drone.

12. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the structure planted with the seedlings of the target product comprises a floating structure and a culture rope connected to the floating structure at a plurality of connection points, the connection points being movable, and a sinking device that narrows the distance between the connection points to sink the structure planted with the seedlings of the target product to the seabed.

13. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the structure in which the target product seedlings are planted comprises a floating structure that loses buoyancy after a predetermined time has elapsed, and a culture rope connected to the floating structure.

14. A supply chain management method for immobilizing CO2 in the ocean using a target product that absorbs CO2, wherein a management device performs an intermediate growth process that controls the intermediate growth of seeds of the target product in the ocean.

15. A supply chain management system having an intermediate growing device that grows seedlings of a target product planted in a structure in a coastal area, and an offshore transportation device that tows the target product after intermediate growing and transports it to an offshore area.

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