Towards a New Horizon: 1972 COLREG in the Era of Autonomous Ships

Abstract

During the last few years, autonomous and unmanned vessels have become technologically more advanced, and their imminent inclusion as permanent participants in marine traffic is more feasible. Nevertheless, international maritime law is still not adjusted to the evolving reality at sea and represents a regulatory barrier for their worldwide operation. This article focuses on the specific problem of navigational safety in light of the collision regulations under the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972 COLREG). It emphasizes that the 1972 COLREG—which has long been criticized—also requires amendments in the context of conventional vessels. Thus, it is argued that the revision of selected aspects of the 1972 COLREG aiming to update it for conventional ships would also be an opportunity to accommodate the new categories of vessels therein.