MASS Trial Guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1604)

IMO interim guidelines for trials of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, issued as MSC.1/Circ.1604 in June 2019. They set expectations for conducting MASS trials safely: risk assessment, keeping the same safety level as conventional operations, qualified personnel for remote control, cyber-risk management, and informing relevant administrations and stakeholders. They are non-mandatory interim guidance pending the MASS Code, and apply to trials at any of the four degrees of autonomy without changing the ship’s regulatory status.