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IMO to set up taskforce on autonomous shipsIMO to set up taskforce on autonomous ships

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is setting up a taskforce on autonomous ships as it starts to look at regulation and safety of this new development in the industry.

Marcus Hand, Editor

May 18, 2018

1 Min Read
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At the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) meeting this week discussions started on a regulatory scoping exercise for autonomous ships. The exercise is expected to cover a wide range of issues including the human element, safety, security, interactions with ports, pilotage, responses to incidents and protection of the marine environment, for different levels of autonomy.

IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim also announced the formation of an inter-divisional maritime autonomous surface ships taskforce, within the IMO Secretariat, to support the work on the issue.

While there are a number of projects underway around the world to develop autonomous ships the potential use of such vessels internationally faces a regulatory hurdle, which this process now sees the IMO starting to address.

A commercial reality check for autonomous shipping in 2018

“It is important that we remain flexible to accommodate new technologies, and so improve the efficiency of shipping - while at the same time keeping in mind the role of the human element and the need to maintain safe navigation, further reducing the number of marine casualties and incidents,” Lim said at the opening of the 99th MSC meeting.

Initially autonomous vessels are expected to operate in the coastal waters of individual states where a legal framework has been established for the their operation, such as the autonomous feeder vessel Yara Birkeland set to go into complete autonomous operation in Norwegian waters in 2020.

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About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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