Autonomous Navigation on Water

The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee has finalized the MASS Code. It will take effect on 1 July 2026, on a non-binding basis.

With rapid advances in automation, digitalization, and connectivity, as well as the ever-expanding applications of artificial intelligence, the maritime industry is also facing a profound transformation. The development and construction of autonomous and remotely operated ships, also known as MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships) or USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels), open up significant opportunities for the maritime industry.

To ensure legal certainty and create a reliable framework for research and industry, Germany is actively shaping national, European, and international developments. At the level of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the BSH and the Ship Safety Division of the BG Verkehr have been actively participating in the development of the MASS Code (International Code for Autonomous Shipping).

The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) finalized the MASS Code at its 111th session. It will apply on a non-binding basis starting 1 July 2026, and is scheduled to become binding international law at a later date—currently projected for 2032. The period until the Code becomes binding will be accompanied by an Experience-Building Phase (EBP). The exact structure of the EBP will be the focus of the 112th MSC session in December.

At the national level, the MASS Coordination Group coordinates the (continued) development of the national legal framework for autonomous ships across government agencies. This group also collaboratively manages and supports application processes and research projects.

Contact: mass@deutsche-flagge.de