Dr Melis Özdel Discusses the Regulation of Autonomous Shipping at the Blue Economy Student Forum
Dr Melis Özdel recently spoke at the Blue Economy Student Forum, discussing Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and the policymaking behind it. This discussion coincided with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopting a new International Code of Safety for MASS this month, marking a major regulatory milestone for autonomous shipping.
During the discussion, Dr Özdel highlighted the importance of adopting an international approach to regulating MASS to promote commercial certainty and prevent parties from seeking out jurisdictions perceived to offer more favourable legal treatment.
The question of liability in autonomous shipping was also featured. Dr Özdel cautioned against imposing a strict liability regime for MASS, noting that such approach could deter commercial parties from embracing the use of technology. Instead, she argued for the preservation of the existing legal framework, with targeted regulations focused only on novel or sensitive issues in the context of MASS
Dr Özdel concluded by examining the role of flag states in the regulation of MASS. She raised important questions about how existing international rules will operate when remote operators controlling a vessel are located outside the vessel’s flag state.
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