DNV: IMO MASS Code sets framework for wider adoption of maritime autonomy

Dr. Shahrin Osman, Business Development Director of DNV Maritime Advisory and Director of DNV’s Centre of Excellence for Maritime Decarbonization & Smart Shipping (COE) Asia Pacific, details the significance of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code and Singapore’s ongoing efforts in supporting remote and autonomous vessel operations:

The adoption of the IMO Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code is a significant milestone for maritime autonomy. By providing a common framework for approval and assurance, the Code creates the foundation for wider adoption while allowing industry and regulators to learn through experience.

As the first global regulatory framework covering ships operating with remote control and autonomous functions, the MASS Code introduces a common basis for assessing new operating concepts. Just as importantly, it signals a transition from isolated projects and pilot cases to a more structured approach to designing and operating them.

One of the Code’s defining characteristics is its goal-based and technology-neutral approach. Rather than prescribing specific technical solutions, it establishes the principles and requirements that must be satisfied to ensure safe operation. Autonomous operations can take many forms, from decision-support systems on board to fully autonomous vessels, and the Code reflects this diversity by applying not only to ships but also to individual functions.

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