BIMCO Approves AUTOSHIPMAN Agreement for Remotely Controlled Ships

BIMCO’s Documentary Committee has approved the AUTOSHIPMAN agreement to address the increasing presence of remotely controlled ships, particularly in inland waterways and coastal trades. This agreement serves as a standard contractual framework for third-party ship managers to offer services for operating remotely controlled or fully autonomous ships. Captain Ajay Hazari of Anglo Eastern, who led the drafting team, noted the commercial operation of remotely controlled ships in various parts of the world and the emerging companies providing remote control management services to shipowners.

The AUTOSHIPMAN agreement is based on the widely used SHIPMAN agreement, governing commercial services and outlining obligations, responsibilities, and liabilities. A notable feature of AUTOSHIPMAN is its flexibility, allowing ships to switch operational modes even during a voyage. This flexibility is crucial as there may be legal requirements for remotely controlled ships to be partially or fully manned when passing through certain territorial waters or when calling at a port.

Grant Hunter, Director of Standard, Innovation, and Research at BIMCO, views AUTOSHIPMAN as a significant step into the commercial operation of remotely controlled ships, with the potential for fully autonomous ships in the future. Legal and insurance experts, as well as insights from companies already operating remotely controlled ships globally, have contributed to the development of this agreement. The collaboration and expertise involved in creating AUTOSHIPMAN demonstrate BIMCO’s commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of maritime technology.

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