by Filip Koscielecki, Claims Executive, UK P&I Club

Autonomous shipping is looking ever more likely to be the future of the maritime industry.

The use of robots in shipping is nevertheless not new. Robotics technology has been in use in underwater and surface settings for some time (autopilots and the Electronic Chart Display and Information System) but the rapidly advancing technology towards crewless and remotely controlled vessels has fast-forwarded the need to consider its regulatory framework.

The legal perspective concern is only natural bearing in mind that the autonomous shipping market, estimated in 2018 to be worth $6.1b, is now projected by some to reach a staggering $136b by 2030.

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