News: Global players in maritime autonomy to talk regulation in London

Technologists, manufacturers, regulators, academics, port operators, shipowners, environmentalists, lawyers, insurers, training companies, trade unions, satellite companies, and policy experts from fifteen countries are to meet in London next week at a major global conference on maritime autonomy. 

The Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Conference 2019 is being held following publication of the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code of Practice by Maritime UK in November 2018.

The past year has seen continued significant developments in the regulatory backdrop for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). The UK government will shortly publish its Maritime 2050 strategy, with a key focus on autonomy expected.

The Maritime Safety Committee at IMO has now formed the MASS Working and Correspondence Groups who have started their scoping exercise work and the conference is designed to feed into that process.

James Fanshawe, Chair of Maritime UK’s MAS Regulatory Working Group said:

“This conference will give delegates the chance to hear and discuss the key points of interest with regard to the Scoping Exercise and the Code of Practice. There are contributions on the International Perspective and other key areas which will enable informed discussions to take place.”

Keynote speakers are the UK Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani MP, and Sarah Kenny, Chief Executive at BMT Group and Vice Chair of Maritime UK.

Delegates will attend from the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, India, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, UK, and the USA.

Hosted by the UK Chamber of Shipping on 17 and 18 January, the conference programme and speaker list can be seen here.