EVENT DESCRIPTION
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) considered the concept of autonomous ships first in 2015 when it was informed about the United Kingdom’s national effort to determine regulatory gaps for the operation of Marine Autonomous Systems (MAS). The concept of having no crew and master on board a ship is a paradigm shift for IMO as global shipping regulator, bearing in mind that all regulatory instruments either implicitly or explicitly assume or require crew and master to be on board. The possibility of controlling and operating a ship fully remotely without any person on board or even in full autonomous mode without the need for human intervention is posing a complex challenge for IMO which spans from technical concerns, concerns about communication, cyber-security and safe fallback states, as well as legal difficulties under UNCLOS.
IMO is currently working to develop a goal-based International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code) which will provide a regulatory framework for the safe operation of MASS. The Code is intended to supplement existing IMO instruments, most notably SOLAS, and is being drafted using a goal-based approach. Time is tight to adopt the Code to enter into effect in 2025 as per the agreed Road Map. The presentation will highlight the milestones and obstacles in providing a robust regulatory regime for MASS by means of a Code so as to meet the expectations of the shipping world.
SPEAKER/PRESENTER
Sascha Pristrom
Head, Marine Technology and Goal-Based Standards, IMO
As the Head of Marine Technology and Goal-based Standards at IMO he oversees the work of the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC), as well as the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE). In addition, he manages and implements IMO’s GBS Audit Programme and acts as IMO liaison officer to ISO TC 8 and Secretary to the Maritime Safety Committee’s MASS Working Group.
He joined IMO in 2007 as master mariner with 10 years experience at sea on various types of ships. Initially in the Maritime Security Section of the Maritime Safety Division, he later changed to Operational Safety (e-navigation, seafarer training and certification) and for more than 5 years he has been with the Marine Technology and Cargoes Sub-Division.
He holds a PhD on onboard assessment of damage stability on board ro-pax ships and a PhD on maritime security, as well as a Master’s degree in International shipping. He has been involved in IMO’s work on SOLAS, the Polar Code, goal-based ship construction standards, maritime security (ISPS Code and related guidance, piracy), as well as e-navigation and STCW.
In order to keep abreast with the latest developments in the industry he sailed on an ULCC (2018) and on a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker in 2019.
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