OperationsTech

IMO establishes autonomous vessels taskforce

Discussions on how to address maritime autonomous surface ships have begun at IMO. The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is debating how to proceed with a regulatory scoping exercise, which is expected to touch on an extensive 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.

Speaking at the opening of the 99th session of the MSC earlier this week, IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim said, “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 also announced the formation of an inter-divisional maritime autonomous surface ships taskforce, within the IMO Secretariat, to support the work on this important matter.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

  1. I wonder , if the IMO would consider thinking about responsabilities in this respect – and talk about it ? All I can read or hear up to now is completely ignoring this part of autonomus shipping . As of now People are purely discussing tecnical feasabilities , but nobody ever mentioned RESPONSABILITY !

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