Cyber Risks and Autonomous Vessels: What Needs to be Done to Comply with the Present International Framework?

Abstract

Autonomous vessels are a relatively new concept. The biggest obstacle to complying with the legal regulatory framework is the absence of any actual human presence on the vessel. Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) will bring a major change in the shipping industry making impacts on different aspects of shipping from a legal perspective. The thesis seeks to answer the question of whether MASS qualifies as a “vessel” or “ship” according to international law and the legal standing of MASS in relation to autonomous degrees. In order to analyse the legal challenges, certain International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaty instruments and conventions are examined. It will investigate whether the existing regulatory legal frameworks are fit for the purpose of accommodating autonomous vessels. The study will be carried out with a special focus on the International Conventions such as Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs), International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Conventions and IMO and BIMCO Cyber Guidelines in relation to cyber security. The United Kingdom side will also be discussed throughout the study. The findings reached in this paper have an international significance. The main findings of this study show that it is crucial to improve IMO’s involvement in maritime cybersecurity by establishing and implementing the appropriate measures and guidelines to address cyber threats. Cybersecurity should be seen as an important component for the safe and effective operation of a ship.