Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications and the Shipping Industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be simply approached as the (effective) simulation of human intelligence processes by computer systems. The issue of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), based on support by numerous AI applications, is providing a quite disruptive picture of how the shipping industry may be transformed in the future. After the necessary clarification of terms, a summary of certain important legal developments in relation to the on-going introduction of MASS type vessels into full service is provided. The role of trustworthy AI applications that can reliably serve the associated decision-making tasks is also discussed. In the near future, the vast majority of maritime transport needs will continue to be served by those vessels termed as “conventional” (regularly manned ships); the shipping industry is well known for its risk adverse behaviour and a slow pace of adaptation towards this new operating paradigm is the most probable path of adoption.