Maritime autonomous shipping: A UK-Taiwan joint cooperation in integrating the regulatory framework
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool John Moores University
Department Name: Engineering Tech and Maritime Operations
Abstract
International shipping is the life blood of the global economy as vessels carry more than 80% of world trade. The industry is regulated primarily by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) - a United Nations agency, which develops and maintains the framework of global maritime regulations related mainly to maritime safety and environmental protection.
Much research has shown that human error contributes to 80-90% of shipping accidents directly or indirectly. In order to deal with the negative impacts from human error, Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) are an emerging solution and are attracting increasing attention in the maritime industry. MASS is defined by the IMO as "ships which, to a varying degree, can operate independently of human interaction". Apart from reducing human error, MASS also brings several advantages, such as enhancing safety and security, reducing operational costs, improving human resource management, and reducing pollution. There are a number of projects related to MASS design and development, in which Maritime Unmanned Navigation through Intelligence in Networks (MUNIN) is one of well-known EU project, which aims to develop an autonomous ship concept, by combining automated decision systems with remote control through a shore based station. In addition, Yara Birkeland, the world's first autonomous containership was delivered at the end of 2020.
IMO is currently looking at the integration of autonomous ships in the regulatory framework on areas such as safety, collision regulations, training of seafarers and fishers, tonnage measurement and others. However, there are many challenges for the operations of autonomous ships, in which the issue of regulations development is one of the main challenges. Henrik Tunfors, Chair of the IMO MASS Working Group, stated that there will be no rules on MASS for at least ten years based on IMO process. These challenges can be barriers for the development of MASS and should be solved quickly.
UK and Taiwan are at the frontend of relevant research, also on the regulatory aspect. Autonomous shipping is at the core of the UK Maritime 2050 strategy as "new technologies such as maritime autonomous systems can make the sector cleaner, safer and more efficient". In addition, the Maritime UK Autonomous Systems Regulatory Working Group (MASRWG) published the first code of practice to global industry-wide acclaim in November 2017. In Taiwan, the government also pays much attention to MASS and has enacted the so-called 'Unmanned Vehicles Technology Innovative Experimentation Act' in 2018 to encourage research and development, and the application of unmanned vehicle technology.
This project aims at address this research topic by looking at the relevant international regulations, identifying gaps and proposes ways to remove the regulatory barriers. At the same time, we focus on fostering a strong collaboration between 4 UK and Taiwanese research institutions and also involving more stakeholders from both countries. To achieve the aim, this project will firstly establish an international network covering both the maritime industry and academia (in the UK and Taiwan) that focuses on the potential international regulations for autonomous shipping. Secondly, we will assess possible regulations for MASS through literature review of academic papers and the relevant legislation and expert opinion. Regulatory barriers will be identified and measure to remove them will be proposed. The results can provide useful insights for future research in this field and we also plan to inform decision-makers.
Much research has shown that human error contributes to 80-90% of shipping accidents directly or indirectly. In order to deal with the negative impacts from human error, Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) are an emerging solution and are attracting increasing attention in the maritime industry. MASS is defined by the IMO as "ships which, to a varying degree, can operate independently of human interaction". Apart from reducing human error, MASS also brings several advantages, such as enhancing safety and security, reducing operational costs, improving human resource management, and reducing pollution. There are a number of projects related to MASS design and development, in which Maritime Unmanned Navigation through Intelligence in Networks (MUNIN) is one of well-known EU project, which aims to develop an autonomous ship concept, by combining automated decision systems with remote control through a shore based station. In addition, Yara Birkeland, the world's first autonomous containership was delivered at the end of 2020.
IMO is currently looking at the integration of autonomous ships in the regulatory framework on areas such as safety, collision regulations, training of seafarers and fishers, tonnage measurement and others. However, there are many challenges for the operations of autonomous ships, in which the issue of regulations development is one of the main challenges. Henrik Tunfors, Chair of the IMO MASS Working Group, stated that there will be no rules on MASS for at least ten years based on IMO process. These challenges can be barriers for the development of MASS and should be solved quickly.
UK and Taiwan are at the frontend of relevant research, also on the regulatory aspect. Autonomous shipping is at the core of the UK Maritime 2050 strategy as "new technologies such as maritime autonomous systems can make the sector cleaner, safer and more efficient". In addition, the Maritime UK Autonomous Systems Regulatory Working Group (MASRWG) published the first code of practice to global industry-wide acclaim in November 2017. In Taiwan, the government also pays much attention to MASS and has enacted the so-called 'Unmanned Vehicles Technology Innovative Experimentation Act' in 2018 to encourage research and development, and the application of unmanned vehicle technology.
This project aims at address this research topic by looking at the relevant international regulations, identifying gaps and proposes ways to remove the regulatory barriers. At the same time, we focus on fostering a strong collaboration between 4 UK and Taiwanese research institutions and also involving more stakeholders from both countries. To achieve the aim, this project will firstly establish an international network covering both the maritime industry and academia (in the UK and Taiwan) that focuses on the potential international regulations for autonomous shipping. Secondly, we will assess possible regulations for MASS through literature review of academic papers and the relevant legislation and expert opinion. Regulatory barriers will be identified and measure to remove them will be proposed. The results can provide useful insights for future research in this field and we also plan to inform decision-makers.
| Description | This project proposed the following five objectives: (1) To establish an international network of scholars focusing on the potential regulations for MASS. This has been done through building up a website for disseminating the information and discussion for interested maritime experts (https://ljmu-mass.wixsite.com/mass-reg). (2) To identify relevant regulations for MASS and the issues of incorporating provisions for autonomous ships. This has been done through reviewing the relevant literature and regulations that can be applied to MASS. I had supervised an MSc student conducting this issue. We have drafted a paper and are going to submit to a journal in March 2023. (3) To prioritise the regulations that need to be modified and provide insights on how these regulations can be modified to suit the ever-changing regulatory environment. This is not achieved yet, but a questionnaire has sent out and waiting for sufficient replies. (4) To establish connection between LJMU, and in particular the Liverpool Logistics, Offshore and Marine Research Institute (LOOM), and the Taiwanese shipping industry. We have establish connection to Yang Ming Marine Transport Crop. in both Taiwan and the UK. (5) To foster a long term collaboration between LJMU and the National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) and Feng Chia University (FCU). We will visit Taiwan between 22 and 28 March to visit both academic partners to discuss the way for a long term collaboration between LJMU, NTOU and FCU. We will also discuss the PhD exchange between LJMU and two Taiwan Universities. In addition, an MSc programme agreement for Taiwan's students studying at LJMU has drafted and will send it to both universities soon. |
| Exploitation Route | 1. Conference and journal papers: A number of conference papers and journal papers related to MASS are published with the acknowledgement of this grant. The detail of the published papers can be seen on the provided website. Many suggestions for the relevant topics were proposed and can be used for further research. 2. The agreement: The agreement can be applied to the cooperation between LJMU and other Taiwan's universities. The Department of Shipping and Transportation Management of the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology has shown their interest in this agreement. 3. The website: The website provides a platform for stakeholders or anyone who is interested in this topic to discuss and search for the answers and help. |
| Sectors | Education,Transport |
| URL | https://ljmu-mass.wixsite.com/mass-reg |
| Description | Guest lecturer in Feng Chia University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | (1) Around 30 BSc students attended the lecture in December 2021. The lecture introduced the development of MASS and the initial results from literature review. Many students showed their interests in the topic of MASS and would like to have more information about this topic. (2) Around 100 BSc students attend the lecture in September 2022. The lecture introduced the development of MASS, as well as the opportunity to study in the UK, especially at LJMU. (3) We will have another trip to Taiwan in March 2023. This time we will focus on the MSc and PhD students at Feng Chia University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023 |
| Description | Invited presentation at an international conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This is an invited presentation at the International Forum on Shipping, Ports and Airports (IFSPA) 2022 in Hong Kong, from 16 to 20 May 2022. The presentation title is "Evaluating the cybersecurity risks in the maritime industry". There were more than 50 researchers attend this conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.polyu.edu.hk/lms/icms/ifspa2022/submission/call-for-papers/ |
| Description | Invited presentation at an international conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Around 40 participants attend the 2022 CAU International Logistics Conference virtually. The conference was held by Chung-Ang University, Korea, with the theme of "Current Agenda and Issues in Logistics and Transportation Logistics and transportation in the post-Pandemic world". The presentation title is "The development of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |