The autonomy of transport systems presents a transformative opportunity to enhance logistics efficiency, improve safety, and support decarbonization. In the maritime sector, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been working since 2016 to develop a mandatory regulatory framework for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASSs), aiming to finalize a comprehensive code. Simultaneously, pilot projects are underway in national waters under the oversight of national administrations. Naval applications of autonomous ships demonstrate their potential, as emerging doctrines highlight their strategic and operational advantages. Although the military sector is not governed at the international level, safely managing interactions between military and commercial MASSs is crucial for ensuring safe navigation. Classification societies play a vital role in achieving high safety standards and ensuring regulatory compliance. This study aims to propose a framework for certifying maritime autonomous vessels. Through a thorough analysis of the existing literature and by identifying gaps, this study outlines a structured pathway to facilitate the certification and operation of MASSs, addressing key technical, operational, and safety considerations. This research contributes to designing a risk-informed approach for the development of autonomous surface vehicles.

The widespread adoption of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) has the potential to transform global shipping by enhancing efficiency, safety and environmental sustainability. However, achieving this transformation requires strong support from governmental and maritime authorities to ensure the smooth and secure integration of these technologies into existing systems. This paper explores the crucial role of regulatory bodies in enabling the operational acceptance of MASS, focusing on regulatory frameworks, the modernization of port infrastructure and the need for standardization. It also examines key challenges such as cybersecurity risks, interoperability concerns and legal liabilities associated with MASS deployment. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for future actions to facilitate the effective implementation of autonomous shipping technologies

The introduction of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASSs) requires reliable engineering methods to demonstrate safety levels comparable to those of conventional manned vessels. This paper presents a mission-based stochastic reliability framework for the comparative assessment of manned and unmanned ship configurations, with a focus on engineering design and verification. The methodology is based on Reliability Block Diagrams (RBDs), where ship missions are decomposed into critical functional subsystems and evaluated over mission-limited operational profiles. To address the uncertainty inherent in component failure data for autonomous systems, Mean Time to Failure (MTTF) values are treated as stochastic variables rather than fixed parameters. A Monte Carlo simulation approach is used to propagate uncertainty from component level to overall mission reliability, producing probability distributions of mission success. The proposed framework is applied to a Search and Rescue Patrol Vessel, comparing manned and unmanned configurations under identical mission scenarios and durations. Results indicate that, for moderate uncertainty levels, the unmanned configuration achieves equal or higher mission reliability, while increasing uncertainty reduces the statistical separation between the two solutions. The approach provides a practical and replicable tool to support reliability-driven design decisions for autonomous marine systems.

The integration of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) represents a transformative shift in global shipping and defence solutions, offering improvements in operational efficiency, navigational safety, regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability. However, realizing this potential depends on the proactive involvement of maritime authorities and regulatory bodies to ensure secure and coordinated adoption. This paper investigates the role of these institutions in supporting the regulatory and operational acceptance of MASS, focusing on the harmonization of local and international frameworks, modernization of port infrastructure and the development of certification and compliance mechanisms. It also addresses key challenges such as cybersecurity threats, interoperability limitations, and liability concerns and provides recommendations to facilitate the safe and standardized implementation of autonomous maritime technologies.