BIMCO introduces contractual standard for autonomous vessels

The AUTOSHIPMAN agreement provides a standard contractual foundation for third-party ship managers to deliver services for the operation of remotely controlled or fully autonomous ships, BIMCO explains. Remotely controlled ships are currently used primarily in inland waterways and coastal trades, but the sector is growing.  

Currently, remotely controlled ships are operating commercially in several parts of the world. We are seeing growth in this sector with several companies emerging and offering remote control management services to shipowners,

… said Captain Ajay Hazari, Anglo Eastern, who led the AUTOSHIPMAN drafting team.

As explained by BIMCO, one of the key features of AUTOSHIPMAN is the flexibility that allows ships to switch operational modes even during a voyage. The flexibility matters because it may be a legal requirement for remotely controlled ships to be partially or fully manned when passing through the territorial waters of a jurisdiction or for calling at a port.

AUTOSHIPMAN is a first step by BIMCO into the commercial operation of remotely controlled ships, and perhaps eventually fully autonomous ships. 

… commented Grant Hunter, Director, Standard, Innovation and Research at BIMCO. 

To remind, the 108th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 108) took significant steps on regulating the implementation of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). It was clear that more work would be required to finalize the Code and the Committee therefore agreed to the revise the Road Map for the development of a MASS Code, as follows: 

• May 2025 – finalize and adopt non-mandatory MASS Code  
• First half of 2026 – develop framework for an experience-building phase (EPB) 
• 2028 – commence development of the mandatory MASS Code, based on the non-mandatory Code, and consider amendments to SOLAS (new chapter) for the Code’s adoption 
• By 1 July 2030 – adoption of the mandatory Code, for entry into force on 1 Jan 2032