A human-centric multi-stakeholder collaborative effort is necessary to further the adaptation of regulatory regimes, enabling the commercial adoption of MASS, new LR and MOL report reveals

The establishment of and international collaboration on Regulatory sandboxes – controlled environments where new technologies can be tested under real-world conditions – bringing in governments, regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, and maritime operators will be key to unlocking the full potential of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), reveals a collaborative report written by Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines(MOL).

These frameworks are vital for promoting regulatory harmonisation, enhancing trust, and stimulating innovation for MASS within the maritime industry, ensuring that the benefits are distributed equitably across all stakeholders while maintaining the safety and integrity of maritime operations, suggests the study.

The report recognises that MASS could have a profound impact on the maritime sector, offering significant advancements in operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. It emphasises that by combining the applied human intelligence of the crew with AI software, MASS presents an opportunity to enhance safety and achieve operational performance.

Placing the human at the centre of autonomy ensures that the evolution of autonomous systems in maritime will enhance, rather than replace, the critical analysis and decision-making roles of human operators, suggests the report.

The report delves into the transformative potential MASS and provides a roadmap for the maritime industry to address critical challenges through the adoption of these advanced technologies.

It emphasises that MASS must adhere to international regulations and safety standards, including the upcoming International Maritime Organisation (IMO) MASS Code, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGs), the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Joseph Morelos, Maritime Complex Systems and Autonomy Leader at LR, said: “The integration of MASS into the global maritime landscape requires not just technological innovation, but also a robust and adaptable regulatory framework. Our collaboration with MOL aims to pave the way for the safe and efficient implementation of autonomous technologies in shipping, ensuring they meet the highest standards of safety and compliance.”

This report is part of LR’s Digital Transformation Research Programme, specifically designed to provide in-depth analysis of key opportunities and challenges for maritime digitalisation, and can be downloaded here: Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) | LR