News: Keynote speakers announced for January’s Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Conference

Maritime UK today announces the keynote speakers for next month’s Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Conference, the fifth annual conference in the series.

The Maritime Minister and Maritime UK Vice Chair, Sarah Kenny, will speak at the conference on 15 and 16 January 2020, providing both an industry and government perspective on regulation in the maritime autonomy arena. The conference is being held as the UK prepares to mark 12 months since the launch of Maritime 2050; the first long-term strategy for the UK’s £46.1bn maritime sector.

Maritime 2050 sets out a series of recommendations and route maps to deliver UK advantage across its seven themes: the UK's competitive advantage, environment, infrastructure, people, security, technology and trade. The strategy includes a significant focus on maritime autonomy, including maintaining the UK’s leading role in thought-leadership around regulation.

The first sponsor for the conference is today announced as BP. Peter Collinson, BP’s Senior Subsea and Environmental specialist in Upstream Technology, said: “BP’s vision is to extensively apply MAS to offshore operations within the next 4 years. One of the most important ‘enablers’ to achieve this is a clear, practical and comprehensive code of conduct. This conference will be very beneficial to understand the current status and international uptake of the code.”

The fifth conference follows the publication of Maritime UK’s updated guidance on autonomous vessels. The fast pace of change in maritime autonomy has necessitated regularly updated and relevant guidance for those owning and operating Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). 

Previous versions were focused on the design and manufacture of vessels, the operation of autonomous vessels, and a particular focus on skills and training. Version 3 of the UK Industry Code of Practice demonstrates UK’s continued leadership on autonomy with new sections on inland waterways. There is also an enhanced section on the principles that should underpin the design, manufacture and operation of autonomous vessels. This most recent version replaces the Code of Conduct (2016) and Version 2 of the Code of Practice (2018).

Harry Theochari, Chair of Maritime UK, said: “I’m delighted that the UK continues to lead the way in the debate on regulating autonomous vessels. Thought-leadership in transformational technologies is something that makes the UK a compelling proposition as a global maritime centre and through Maritime 2050 we're working with government to strengthen that lead further still. Automation has the potential to change our sector in ways that we cannot yet imagine. Given its potential impact, it's right that developments are underpinned by a strong set of principles and clear, practical guidance, including on people and skills."

The Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Conference is being held on 15 and 16 January at the UK Chamber of Shipping in London. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.maritimeuk.org/events/events/maritime-autonomous-systems-regulatory-conference-2020/