EU Operational Guidelines for Safe, Secure and Sustainable Trials of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) - Version 1 - October 2020

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by hdkawk

EU Operational Guidelines for Safe, Secure and Sustainable Trials of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) set out a common framework for conducting trials of autonomous vessels. The guidelines explain aims, scope, objectives, and key terms, then define actions for administrations and applicants, including test-area/ship-safety zone design, digital maritime support tools, limitations, authorization procedures, and operational control measures. They also specify reporting and information-sharing requirements, and include annexes on application content and risk-assessment principles.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Background

Aim

Scope and Application

Objectives

Terms and Definitions

Actions to Be Considered by the Administration(s)

Designated Test Area / Ship Safety Zone for MASS Trials

Digital maritime services and support tools hosted by EMSA

Limitations

Administrative procedure/s for authorising tests/trials

Management, monitoring, communication and control -operations

Responsibilities during test/trials

Actions to Be Considered by the Applicant

MASS – the Ship

Reporting Requirements and Information Sharing

Background Documents

Annex I – Content of Application

Annex II – Principles for Risk Assessment

VTMIS EU OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR SAFE, SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE TRIALS OF MARITIME AUTONOMOUS SURFACE SHIPS (MASS) Version 1 (October 2020) EU OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR SAFE, SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE TRIALS OF MARITIME AUTONOMOUS SURFACE SHIPS (MASS) Contents PREFACE .................................................................................................................................................. 3 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................................... 3 CONTEXT.................................................................................................................................................. 4 1. AIM .................................................................................................................................................. 5 2. SCOPE AND APPLICATION ............................................................................................................... 5 3. OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................................................................... 5 4. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS................................................................................................................ 5 5. ACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION(S) ........................................................... 7 5.1 Designated Test Area / Ship Safety Zone for MASS Trials .......................................................... 7 5.1.1 Objective..................................................................................................................................... 7 5.1.2 Characteristics and Requirements .................................................................................. 7 5.1.3 Identification of the designated test area for MASS trials .............................................. 7 5.2 Digital maritime services and support tools hosted by EMSA.................................................... 8 5.3 Limitations ................................................................................................................................ 10 5.4 Administrative procedure/s for authorising tests/trials .......................................................... 11 5.5 Management, monitoring, communication and control -operations ..................................... 11 5.5.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 11 5.5.2 Performance Requirements ................................................................................................. 11 5.5.3 Operational requirements for VTS in MASS trials ................................................................ 12 5.6 Responsibilities during test/trials ............................................................................................. 13 6. ACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE APPLICANT......................................................................... 13 6.1 MASS – the Ship......................................................................................................................... 15 6.1.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 15 6.1.2 Characteristics and Requirements............................................................................................ 15 6.3 Responsibilities during tests/trials ........................................................................................... 16 7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION SHARING ........................................................ 16 8. BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS ......................................................................................................... 18 ANNEX I – Content of Application ........

FAQs

What is the purpose of these operational guidelines for MASS trials?

They establish a coordinated framework for parties involved in MASS trials, aiming to support safe, secure, and sustainable testing while building on experiences and related international interim guidance.

What do the guidelines cover regarding trial governance by administrations?

They outline actions for administrations, including defining designated test areas/ship safety zones, using digital maritime services and tools hosted by EMSA, authorization procedures, and operational management, monitoring, and control responsibilities.

What requirements are included for applicants and for information reporting?

The guidelines set out applicant responsibilities related to the MASS vessel and define reporting requirements and information-sharing mechanisms, supported by annexes on application content and risk-assessment principles.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by hdkawk