Initiative to manage MASS trials launches

MASSPorts is a network formed by states and organisations to address the challenges and align standards for the trials and operation of maritime autonomous surface ships in ports. Along with Norway, the participating countries are China, Denmark, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea and Singapore.

Acting director of General Navigation and Shipping at the Norwegian Maritime Authority, Lars Alvestad, represented Norway at the group’s first digital meeting on Tuesday 4 August. “We hope that sharing experiences will contribute to building knowledge across borders,” he said.

The meeting participants agreed to develop common guidelines and requirements for MASS testing in ports. Common guidelines are under development by the EU and will be finalised and shared with MASSPorts in November 2020. MASSPorts will regularly revise and further develop guidelines for this, in parallel with the work of IMOs and other international forums.

The network will also establish common terminology and a ship reporting and data exchange to improve the ability of MASS systems to function across systems and ports. Vessels and ports must be equipped with infrastructure that has common terminology, form and standards in order to be able to achieve seamless MASS operations.

Finally the network will facilitate testing of MASS operations from port to port. In order to test the proposed guidelines and requirements for MASS tests and that MASS can work across different port systems, they will perform tests that mimic international shipping.