Regulating Unmanned Vessels: Emerging Solutions

Author

Eva Ricarda Lange

ISBN: 9789004729476

Published: April 2025

Format: Hardback

Language: English

Publisher: Informa Law from Routledge

Description

This book adds to the legal research on autonomous vessels and proposes a combined international-supranational regulation concept, introducing the reader to the most urgent legal aspects of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). The future legal framework must be technology-neutral and reliable, and it has to be in place as soon as possible to integrate autonomous ships into the existing international legal framework.

Key Features

Comprehensive comparison of international, regional and European regulatory approaches to MASS. Analyses the effect of non-binding instruments through rational choice theory. Identifies legal gaps in flag state registration, safety at sea and search and rescue for uncrewed vessels. Surveys national regulatory activity in Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom and France.

Coverage

UNCLOS and flag/port state jurisdiction, the IMO's regulatory scoping exercise, EU external competence and the Brussels effect, soft law and non-binding instruments, and national approaches to MASS regulation.

About the Author

Eva Ricarda Lange, Dr. iur. (2024), University of Bremen, is a German legal scholar focusing on the law of the sea and international shipping law. She has studied law in Berlin, Stockholm and Oslo.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction — 2. Autonomous Shipping Technology — 3. International Regulatory Framework for Commercial Shipping — 4. MASS and the International Legal Framework — 5. Means to Adapt the Legal Framework to MASS — Conclusions and Outlook.

Why buy this book?

The first book-length comparative treatment of MASS regulation across international, EU and national levels, essential for any collection covering autonomous vessels, marine insurance or maritime security law.

Keywords

Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, MASS, autonomous vessels, remote operation, law of the sea, IMO, EU maritime policy, unmanned shipping law

Target Audience

Maritime law academics, PhD researchers, regulators, IMO and flag state officials, marine insurers, shipping law practitioners

Genre

International Law, Maritime Law, Law of the Sea

Q&A

Q: What legal framework governs Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)?
A: No single binding international instrument yet governs MASS; this book compares the international, regional and European rules currently in place and identifies where they fall short.

Q: Does UNCLOS apply to autonomous vessels?
A: The book examines how flag state and port state jurisdiction under UNCLOS applies to vessels operating without a crew on board.

Q: What countries have national MASS regulation?
A: The book reviews national regulatory activity in Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom and France.

Where can I buy Regulating Autonomous Vessels?
The book is available from CLNZ Books at clnzbooks.com. The price includes worldwide shipping via trusted international courier, and payment can be made by credit card or PayPal.

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