Brit maritime agency heralds fresh global rules for crewless cargo ships

Britain’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) contributed to the development of the first non-mandatory International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code), set to be published by the IMO on July 1. The code aims to establish a global regulatory framework for uncrewed cargo ships, with a mandatory version expected by 2032. Norway’s Yara Birkeland, a zero-emission autonomous ship, is already in use for transporting chemicals and fertilizers.