Global shipping industry group the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched an international framework to regulate autonomous ships operating with little or no human crew.
According to IMO, the new International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code) will support the safe integration of AI-enabled and remotely operated commercial ships into global shipping.
The new framework will ensure that remotely controlled or autonomous ships:
- are designed and operated to a level of safety, security, and environmental protection that is expected of a conventional ship
- comply with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and other applicable mandatory IMO instruments.
In IMO’s definition, a ship is considered autonomous if such shipboard technology is designed and verified to control actions without human intervention. While the number of fully crewless or remote-operated ships are currently limited, a growing number are being successfully trialed internationally, IMO said.
Accordingly, the MASS Code introduces new requirements for the design, approval, and operation of these ships, including in key areas such as navigation, connectivity, remote operations, fire safety, and search and rescue. It places strong emphasis on risk assessment, robust system design, cybersecurity, and the integration of Remote Operations Centres (ROCs). And it underscores the importance of human oversight, with the master retaining overall responsibility for the ship at all times – even if not on board the ship.
