Global Maritime Trends

IMO adopts the world's first Code for autonomous ships

MSC 111 adopted the non-mandatory international MASS Code for cargo ships, which entered into force on 1 July 2026. It embeds risk assessment into the approval process and sets out interaction with Remote Operation Centres, while preserving the master's responsibility to intervene even without crew aboard. A mandatory Code is targeted after an Experience-Building Phase, from 2032.