Delegates to the 108th Maritime Security Committee meeting at the International Maritime Organization in London tackled the topics of autonomous ships and also maritime cyber risk management.
Robot ships on the agenda
The Committee advanced work on the development of the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) code to ensure that robot ships will operate “safely and in coexistence” with conventional sips.
The Committee approved the report of a working group on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships and noted the “significant progress” to develop the draft code.
Realising that more work is needed to finalise the code, the Committee agreed to revise the road map so that, by May 2025, a non-mandatory code ought to be finalised and adopted; by the first half of 2026, develop a framework for an experience building phase; in 2028, start development of the mandatory code; and by July 2030 adopt the mandatory code for entry into force in January 2032.
Cyber risk guidelines
The safety committee also approved the revised Guidelines on maritime cyber risk management (MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3/Rev.3) and sent them to the Facilitation Committee for its approval.
According to the IMO, the guidelines cover standards and best practices for cyber risk management. The revision includes updates on key definitions, background information and application, functional elements of cyber-risk management, along with other relevant international and industry standards and best practices.
