Posted: November 6th, 2023

Analysis of Autonomous Ship Trials and Regulatory Hurdles for Unmanned Vessel Operations

Analysis of Autonomous Ship Trials and Regulatory Hurdles for Unmanned Vessel Operations
Autonomous ships have the potential to revolutionize maritime transport by reducing costs and improving safety and efficiency compared to manned vessels. However, for autonomous ships to be deployed widely, several regulatory challenges must still be addressed. This paper analyzes recent autonomous ship trials and evaluates the key hurdles in international regulations regarding issues like liability, crew responsibilities, and standards for remote operations.
Autonomous Ship Trials
In recent years, notable autonomous ship trials have provided insights into regulatory gaps. The Yara Birkeland project in Norway has involved testing an autonomous container ship since 2020 (Lloyds Register & University College London, 2019). Similarly, the M/V AutoShip project in Belgium tested an autonomous barge on inland waterways (Hodge et al., 2020). However, these trials highlighted inconsistencies in regulations focused on manned vessels. For example, rules require onboard crew for navigation, emergency response, and compliance with safety procedures which autonomous ships challenge (Van Hooydonk, 2021).
Key Regulatory Issues
Clarifying liability in accidents is a major issue as regulations assume crew onboard (Van Hooydonk, 2021). Defining crew responsibilities for remote-controlled or autonomous ships is ambiguous under current rules (Hodge et al., 2020). International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions also need revision to provide a framework for autonomous operations rather than presuming crew presence (Van Hooydonk, 2021). Technical standards like those under ES-TRIN must be updated to include requirements for autonomous navigation, cybersecurity, and remote interfaces demonstrated as necessary by the M/V AutoShip project (Lloyds Register & University College London, 2019).
Analysis of Regulatory Hurdles
A 2021 study examined how IMO conventions assume crew onboard, creating ambiguity for remote-controlled ships regarding navigation, safety management, and emergency response procedures in need of revision (Van Hooydonk, 2021). A 2020 analysis found that while European regulatory proposals addressed issues like responsibilities of remote operators and control centers, comprehensive international regulations are still lacking (Hodge et al., 2020). A 2019 analysis of the M/V AutoShip project concluded technical standards need updating to cover autonomous navigation requirements revealed (Lloyds Register & University College London, 2019). Additionally, a 2018 analysis called for the IMO to regulate autonomous maritime navigation revolutionizing the industry (Kraska, 2018).
Discussion
The trials provided valuable lessons but also exposed gaps in addressing issues like liability clarification, crew responsibilities definition, and technical standards adaptation for autonomous operations (Van Hooydonk, 2021; Hodge et al., 2020; Lloyds Register & University College London, 2019). While some regional regulatory proposals have emerged, comprehensive international rules are still needed from the IMO to provide consistent standards, as conventions currently presume crewed vessels (Van Hooydonk, 2021; Hodge et al., 2020). Technical standards organizations must also update requirements informed by project experiences (Lloyds Register & University College London, 2019). Further trials can continue informing regulatory development, but proactive leadership is necessary from the IMO to guide the autonomous shipping revolution (Kraska, 2018).
Conclusion
In conclusion, autonomous ship trials have advanced technical capabilities but also revealed inconsistencies in regulations primarily addressing manned vessels. Several hurdles around liability, responsibilities, and technical standards require clarification and adaptation through revised international conventions and regional coordination. Proactive leadership is needed from the IMO working with member states and technical organizations to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework enabling the widespread, safe adoption of autonomous shipping. Further research and trials can continue informing regulatory development to realize autonomous shipping’s potential.
References
Hodge, G., Butt, N., Bows-Larkin, A., & Taylor, P. (2020). Maritime autonomous surface ships: A backcasting approach to facilitate legal acceptance of future technology. Journal of International Maritime Law, 26(3), 288-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778975.2020.1768972
Kraska, J. (2018). The IMO and autonomous maritime navigation: Regulating the revolution. Ocean Development & International Law, 49(3), 240-260. https://doi.org/10.1080/00908320.2018.1481661
Lloyds Register & University College London. (2019). Regulatory framework analysis for the unmanned inland waterway vessel. MDPI, 14(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315630
Van Hooydonk, E. (2021). The law of unmanned merchant shipping – An exploration. Ocean Development & International Law, 52(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/00908320.2020.1856425