IMO moves to secure Hormuz shipping with new autonomous ships code

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By Efe Onodjae

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The International Maritime Organization, IMO, has adopted the first-ever global regulatory framework for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, MASS, amid growing concerns over global shipping safety and rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

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The development was announced during the 111th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee held in London, where member states approved the non-mandatory MASS Code designed to regulate autonomous and remotely operated vessels.

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IMO, in a statement shared on its official X page, said the adoption of the code marks a major step toward safer and more secure global shipping operations.

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According to the organization, the code will come into effect on July 1, 2026, before transitioning into a mandatory international regulation by 2032.
The framework covers navigation systems, remote ship operations, cybersecurity, communication systems, fire safety and emergency response procedures for autonomous ships operating across international waters.

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Maritime stakeholders say the move comes at a critical time as concerns continue to grow over shipping security along major global trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil transit corridors.

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The IMO noted that the code is aimed at ensuring that emerging autonomous shipping technologies operate under globally accepted safety and environmental standards.

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IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, described the adoption as a major milestone in the regulation of emerging maritime technologies and the future of global shipping.

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