Story By: Rob O’Dwyer
BIMCO’s Documentary Committee reports that it has adopted a new AUTOSHIPMAN agreement to provide a contractual framework for the operation of the growing number of remotely controlled ships at sea.
The AUTOSHIPMAN agreement provides a standard contractual foundation for third-party ship managers to deliver services for the operation of remotely controlled or fully autonomous vessels.
Remotely controlled ships are currently used primarily in inland waterways and coastal trades, but BIMCO notes that the sector is growing, necessitating the creation of these new instruments.
“Currently, remotely controlled ships are operating commercially in several parts of the world. We are seeing growth in this sector with several companies emerging and offering remote control management services to shipowners,” said Captain Ajay Hazari, Anglo Eastern, who led the AUTOSHIPMAN drafting team.
The agreement has been developed using the existing SHIPMAN agreement to govern commercial services and provide a framework for the parties’ obligations, responsibilities, and liabilities.
BIMCO says that one of the key features of AUTOSHIPMAN is the flexibility that allows ships to switch operational modes during a voyage, which is important as it may be a legal requirement for remotely controlled ships to be partially or fully manned when passing through territorial waters or calling at a port.
“AUTOSHIPMAN is a first step by BIMCO into the commercial operation of remotely controlled ships, and perhaps eventually fully autonomous ships,” said Grant Hunter, Director, Standards, Innovation and Research at BIMCO.
“During the development of AUTOSHIPMAN, we were assisted by legal and insurance experts, and we have gained valuable insight throughout the process from companies who are already operating ships remotely around the world.”
