Regulating Autonomous Vessels

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.

• ForewordList of Abbreviations1 Introduction1. 1 Aim and Objectives1. 2 Scope and Outline2 Autonomous Shipping Technology2. 1 Maritime Autonomy as a Concept2.  1.1 Autonomy and Automation2.  1.2 Vessel Operation without Human Presence on Board2.  1.3 Autonomy and Manning2.  1.4 Degrees of Autonomy2.  1.5 Conclusions2. 2 Technical Development and Research Projects2. 3 Economic, Safety, Security, and Environmental Aspects2.  3.1 Economic Aspects2.  3.2 Safety and Security Aspects2.  3.3 Environmental Aspects2.  3.4 Conclusions3 International Regulatory Framework for Commercial Shipping3. 1 The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea3.  1.1 Flag State Jurisdiction3.  1.2 The Zonal Approach3.  1.3 Coastal State Jurisdiction3. 2 Port State Jurisdiction3.  2.1 Access to Ports3.  2.2 Port State Control3.  2.3 Conclusions3. 3 The imo and unclos3.  3.1 The Competent International Organization3.  3.2 Generally Accepted International Rules and Standards3.  3.3 High-Priority Instruments for mass3.  3.4 Conclusions3. 4 The International Maritime Organization3.  4.1 Structure3.  4.2 Law-Making and Implementation Activities3. 5 Conclusions4 mass and the International Legal Framework4. 1 Principle of Mutual Recognition4. 2 Interpretation of International Law4. 3 The Regulatory Scoping Exercise of the imo4. 4 Legal Gaps for mass in the Current Legal Framework4.  4.1 Flag State Registration and Genuine Link4.  4.2 Safety at Sea4.  4.3 Search and Rescue4.  4.4 Conclusions4. 5 National Regulatory Activities on mass4.  5.1 Finland4.  5.2 Norway4.  5.3 United Kingdom4.  5.4 France4. 6 Conclusions5 Means to Adapt the Legal Framework to mass5. 1 Requirements and Recommendations for mass Regulation5. 2 Law and Regulation5.  2.1 Soft Law5.  2.2 Rational Choice Theory5.  2.3 Conclusions5. 3 Regulation at the International Level5.  3.1 Non-binding Instruments of the imo5.  3.2 Amendments to the International Legal Framework5.  3.3 A New mass Convention5.  3.4 Decision of a Conference of the State Parties5.  3.5 Generally Accepted International Rules and Standards5.  3.6 Customary International Law and Subsequent State Practice5.  3.7 Conclusions5. 4 Regulation at the Regional Level5.  4.1 Regional Cooperation4.2 Maritime Cooperation in Northern and Western Europe5.  4.3 Admissibility of an Inter-se Agreement5.  4.4 A Regional mass Convention5.  4.5 Conclusions5. 5 Regulation at the Supranational Level5.  5.1 EU Competence and Available Instruments5.  5.2 Self-standing Act5.  5.3 Implementing Act5.  5.4 ConclusionsConclusions and OutlookReferencesTable of CasesInternational Court of JusticeCourt of Justice of the European UnionOther Court CasesIMO DocumentsCouncil of the International Maritime OrganizationMaritime Safety CommitteeMarine Environmental Protection CommitteeFacilitation CommitteeLegal CommitteeIntersessional Working Group on MASSInter-Governmental Maritime Consultative OrganizationInternationl Conventions and Statutory InstrumentsInternational ConventionsEU Statutory InstrumentsEEA Joint CommitteeOther Statutory InstrumentsIndex