SEAMLESS: Legal status and regulatory framework of automated ships in its practical and theoretical aspects – join our workshop!
- 07/01/2026
Autonomous and remotely operated vessels are no longer a distant vision – they are already entering our waterways. But are today’s maritime laws and regulatory frameworks ready for this shift?
Join SEAMLESS on 22 January for an engaging webinar that explores how automation is reshaping maritime regulation and governance. Bringing together legal experts, regulators, classification societies, and industry innovators, the session will tackle a key question shaping the future of shipping: should automated ships be governed under existing legal frameworks, or do they require new regulatory approaches?
Participants will gain insights into real-world regulatory and operational challenges, including certification and approval processes, safety assurance, liability allocation, and compliance with international conventions. The discussion will also draw on practical experience from autonomous vessel operations and offer comparative perspectives from the inland waterways sector.
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
- IDIT presentation, “Automated ships: just like any other?”. Naijma Djoubri & Iolande Viricel (IDIT)
- Updates on the developments of the IMO MASS Code. Jérôme Faivre (BV)
- The regulatory approval processes required to secure flag administration acceptance for autonomous or remotely operated vessel operations in national waters, along with the transition of the chief engineer on board role moved to the ROC and successful operation of one engineer operating three vessels(ASKO fleet and Yara Birkeland) Claudia Hessen (KONGSBERG)
- Updates from the inland waterways sector to offer a relevant point of comparison and potentially serve as a concluding perspective for the overall discussion. Fionn Halleman (VNF)
Whether you are a policymaker, researcher, industry professional, or simply curious about the future of autonomous transport, this webinar offers a unique opportunity to engage with the legal and regulatory questions that will define the next generation of maritime operations.
