The 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee was held 13-22 May 2026 in London, United Kingdom, chaired by Mr. Theofilos Mozas of Greece (right).
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a new International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code) to support the safe integration of AI-enabled and remotely operated commercial ships into global shipping.
The MASS Code sets out a comprehensive, goal-based framework to 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. They will also be required to comply with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS (Visit external site. Link opens in a new tab.)) and other applicable mandatory IMO instruments.
The Code applies to cargo ships* and will take effect from 1 July 2026. As it is a non-mandatory instrument, Member States are given the opportunity to test its use while paving the way for making it mandatory under the SOLAS Convention.
Welcoming the milestone at the conclusion of the 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in London, held 13 to 22 May, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez said (Visit external site. Link opens in a new tab.):
“This landmark achievement positions IMO at the forefront of regulating emerging technologies, demonstrating the Organization’s ability to anticipate and shape the future of shipping. It represents a major step forward, enabling innovation while ensuring that safety, accountability and the human element remain at the core of maritime operations.”
New approach required
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 trialled internationally.
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).
Importantly, 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.
Roadmap towards binding rules
The new MASS Code supplements existing IMO instruments, taken due account of the international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is the culmination of nearly a decade of multilateral discussions, legal work and on-the-water trials, to enable new and conventional technologies to operate safely together.
The next steps for the Code include:
- December 2026 – MSC 112 to re-establish MASS Working Group for the Development of a framework for an Experience-Building Phase (EBP) of the non-mandatory MASS Code;
- 2028 – Development of the mandatory MASS Code, based on the non-mandatory Code and results from the EBP and review conducted by the relevant sub-committees. Consideration of amendments to SOLAS (new chapter) for the Code’s adoption;
- By 1 July 2030 – Expected adoption of the IMO’s first mandatory MASS Code, for entry into force on 1 January 2032.