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In search for regulatory approach to autonomous vessels, project finances by National Science Center, Poland, contract no 2020/37/B/HS5/00471*

Exploitation of autonomous ships (or MASS as commonly abbreviated) has been present in international debate for several years. Unmanned ships are in fact already operating in national navigation in several countries around the world. Nevertheless, the future of international legal framework for their exploitation is still uncertain. It has been under the purview of several international organizations, including the IMO (International Maritime Organization). There are significant challenges which need to be faced, concerning maritime safety and security, as well as liability issues.

The main goal of the project is not limited solely to indicating specific amendments to the current maritime conventions but has a broader regulatory context. The research will analyze changes adopted in the IMO regulatory approach to technological solution and whether this regulatory change will allow to determine the optimal regulatory model for the operation of autonomous vessels. The research will examine if different regulatory approaches may be required for automated vessels, whose navigation is subject to human decision-making and, on the other hand, fully autonomous ships. Thus, the project will include both scenarios for regulating the principles of autonomous ships operation: those operated by remote operator in other location and those that are fully autonomous.

*This project has been under my supervision since march 2022

Publications:

Papers delivered at the conferences/seminars:

Participation in meetings of regulatory bodies on MASS:

Others: