Maritime leaders from the United Kingdom and South Korea have taken a significant step forward in shaping the future of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). A recent technical workshop, held from May 14–16, 2025, at KRISO’s headquarters in Daejeon, brought together key stakeholders to accelerate collaborative strategies ahead of the IMO’s voluntary MASS Code in 2026 and its mandatory rollout in 2030.
Joint Leadership and Purpose
The workshop was co-led by:
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Lloyd’s Register (LR)
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Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO)
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UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
It brought together 27 experts, including representatives from the British Embassy in Seoul, under the support of the UK Government’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF).
Verification and Validation (V&V): A Scientific Necessity
The workshop emphasized V&V as an essential scientific method to ensure the safe performance of autonomous vessels in real-world conditions. A special focus was placed on the IMO’s draft MASS Code, particularly Chapter 8, which addresses the operational context for autonomous shipping.
LR advocated for clearer definitions of:
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Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
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ODD
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OE
These elements are considered foundational for robust risk assessments and standardised certification approaches.
Technology Demonstrations and Site Visit
KRISO presented updates from its KASS (Korean Autonomous Ship System) project, showcasing:
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Advanced situational awareness systems
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Ongoing research in intelligent navigation
Participants also toured KRISO’s Autonomous Ship Verification and Evaluation Research Centre (ASVERC) in Ulsan, where they observed operations involving a 25-meter test vessel and a remote control centre.
This second UK–Korea workshop marks a crucial milestone in international collaboration on autonomous maritime regulation. With robust frameworks and joint efforts from industry leaders, the path toward safe, certified, and scalable MASS deployment is rapidly gaining momentum.
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Source: LR
