The current regulatory landscape that applies to maritime service robotics, aptly termed as robotics and autonomous systems (RAS), is quite complex. When it comes to patents, there are multifarious considerations in relation to vessel survey, inspection, and maintenance processes under national and international law. Adherence is challenging, given that the traditional delivery methods are viewed as unsafe, strenuous, and laborious. Service robotics, namely micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) or drones, magnetic-wheeled crawlers (crawlers), and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), function by relying on the architecture of the Internet of Robotic Things. The aforementioned are being introduced as time-saving apparatuses, accompanied by the promise to acquire concrete and sufficient data for the identification of vessel structural weaknesses with the highest level of accuracy to facilitate decision-making processes upon which temporary and permanent measures are contingent. Nonetheless, a noticeable critical issue associated with RAS effective deployment revolves around non-personal data governance, which comprises the main analytical focus of this research effort. The impetus behind this study stems from the need to enquire whether “data” provisions within the realm of international technological regulatory (techno-regulatory) framework is sufficient, well organized, and harmonized so that there are no current or future conflicts with promulgated theoretical dimensions of data that drive all subject matter-oriented actions. As is noted from the relevant expository research, the challenges are many. Engineering RAS to perfection is not the end-all and be-all. Collateral impediments must be avoided. A safety net needs to be devised to protect non-personal data. The results here indicate that established data decision dimensions call for data security and protection, as well as a consideration of ownership and liability details. An analysis of the state-of-the-art and the comparative results assert that the abovementioned remain neglected in the current international setting. The findings reveal specific data barriers within the existing international framework. The ways forward include strategic actions to remove data barriers towards overall efficacy of maritime RAS operations. The overall findings indicate that an effective transition to RAS operations requires optimizing the international regulatory framework for opening the pathways for effective RAS operations. Conclusions were drawn based on the premise that policy reform is inevitable in order to push the RAS agenda forward before the emanation of 6G and the era of the Internet of Everything, with harmonization and further standardization being very high priority issues.

The article contributes to the discussion concerning the role of trust in robotic and autonomous systems (RAS), with a sharp focus on remote inspection technologies (RITs) for vessel inspection, survey and maintenance. To this end, the article provides a first-hand insight into one of the major findings from BUGWRIGHT2—a collaborative project co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme that aims to change the European vessel-structure maintenance landscape. In doing so, this article explores trust from a psychological perspective, reflecting on its characteristics and predictors, followed by a discussion on the AI-trust ecosystem as envisaged by the European Commission. Structured interviews with thirty-three subject matter experts guide the main analysis revealing that trust is an essential precondition for integrating RITs into the current manual-driven inspection system. A synoptic overview of the vital trust elements is provided before carving out the ways forward for developing a trustworthy environment governed by Human-Robot Interaction.

Vessel hull inspection is a regulatory obligation. Adherence to procedural requirements forged by classification societies helps avoid numerous adverse consequences. In this era of technological innovation, drones, crawlers and underwater submersibles, aptly known as Remote Inspection Technologies, represent emerging technologies, and are being tested to conduct surveys and inspections that will gradually replace human presence on board ships and in-water. However, counter arguments have also emerged against the usage of these AI-based alternatives. Liability is one crucial drawback that could potentially discourage innovation and market growth, especially at the European Union level. Ship owners require a ”safety net” as they are a part and parcel of global commerce. Then again, survey and inspection via technologies require the involvement of multiple actors, which makes it difficult to apportion liability. Solutions are required, especially at the European Union level, so that member states could move forward in a spirit of partnership, and nurture and foster technological innovation through partnership. Against the foregoing, this article delves into the European Union liability landscape and outlines some of the critical challenges and strategic ways forward for consideration.

This article carves out China’s maritime state-of-play with regards to greenhouse gas (ghg) mitigating measures with a special focus on carbon dioxide (co₂) emission. The article commences with an overview of International Maritime Organization (imo) ghg strategy taking into account the critical targets, proposed plans, schemes and measures aimed at the shipping sector. Discussions then segue into a twofold discussion pertaining to China’s current policy and port governance actions highlighting some of the existing gaps and challenges. Reference is made to remarkable developments from countries considering three vital key elements for an effective green port policy framework before drawing concluding remarks.

The critical role of biology Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) in advancing our understanding of marine ecosystems underscores the need for sophisticated observation tools like Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Maritime Autonomous Vehicles (MAVs). However, the integration of these technologies in Marine Scientific Research (MSR) has surfaced significant legal and policy challenges. This study, informed by insights from forty-six experts across academia, oceanographic institutions, industry, and intergovernmental organizations, identifies six principal legal challenges relevant to the: operation and navigation of AUVs, data collection, security, environmental impact, animal tagging, and intellectual property rights. Effectively addressing these challenges requires a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach among the scientific community, policymakers, and international bodies. States may promote an initiative to drive progress in ocean observation while laying the groundwork for advancements. To address the operational and regulatory complexities, States may coordinate collaboration through involvement of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), for example. Additionally, coordination with frameworks such as the BBNJ Agreement, UNCLOS, the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (CBD KM-GBF), and regional organizations like the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) would ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach.