Posted on May 22, 2026
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a new International Code of Safety for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) at the 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee in London.
The MASS Code aims to support the safe integration of autonomous and remotely operated commercial ships into global shipping.
It sets out a comprehensive, goal-based framework to ensure that autonomous vessels are built, operated, and certified to meet safety and environmental standards equivalent to those for conventional ships.
The Code applies to large internationally trading cargo ships and will take effect on July 1, 2026. It will start on a voluntary basis for at least two years, giving member states the opportunity to test its use while paving the way for its mandatory adoption under the SOLAS Convention.
MASS ships can operate with varying levels of independence from human interaction. This ranges from automation with crew on board to remotely controlled vessels with or without crew to fully autonomous vessels that can make decisions independently.
