The 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization was held in London from May 13 to May 22, 2026. The meeting's main agenda items that shape the future of the maritime sector included autonomous ships, alternative fuels, cybersecurity, and digitalization.

Among the prominent decisions was the adoption of the new 'Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code,' prepared for remotely operated and autonomous vessels. This code is seen as the official signal of the era of artificial intelligence and automation in maritime affairs. The new regulation will initially be applied as a recommendation, with its mandatory implementation expected to be on the agenda starting from 2032.

The committee also approved interim safety guidelines for vessels using alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. This aims to ensure that safety standards are updated at the same pace as the sector progresses towards a carbon-neutral trajectory.

During the meeting, a roadmap was accepted for the development of a new 'Maritime Cyber Code' for maritime cybersecurity, and the IMO's digitalization strategy was also supported. These developments indicate that maritime activities, from ports to the bridge, will increasingly transform into a 'smart networks ocean.'

Additionally, new rules were introduced regarding the transportation of electric vehicles, battery safety, satellite communications, and VDES data systems through amendments to the SOLAS and IMDG Codes.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye