ABSTRACT
Maritime operations are disrupted by smart innovative technologies enabling an ever-higher level of on-board automation. Recently, developments reached a point where unmanned remotely controlled ships are thought to be in principle technically feasible. However, for unmanned ships to deliver on their promise for safer, cleaner and resource-efficient transport, new regulations are essential. This paper paves the way toward a performance driven regulatory framework for unmanned ships along the lines of the recently introduced IMO Polar Code. The work presented is thought to be useful supplement to the existing regulations of conventionally manned ships.
