IMO moves to secure Hormuz shipping with new autonomous ships code

By Efe Onodjae

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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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