Advertisement
Asean
OpinionLetters

Letters | As autonomous ships make waves, what to keep on the radar

  • Vessels which can operate independently of human interaction could help decrease accidents due to human error in maritime pollution hotspots like the Strait of Malacca
  • However, governments must pay attention to protecting maritime labour and human rights at sea

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
Traffic congestion in the narrow Strait of Malacca makes accidents more likely. Photo: Shutterstock
Letters
Feel strongly about this letter, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification.
Soon, the operation of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships – defined by the International Maritime Organisation as ships “which, to a varying degree, can operate independently of human interaction” – will be more common as part of the shipping industry’s quest to become more efficient through the use of advanced technology, such as 5G. China, Japan and Norway have successfully built and operated autonomous ships.

International law has no clear definition of “ship”. Article 94 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) says that “every State shall take such measures for ships flying its flag as are necessary to ensure safety at sea”, including measures to ensure that “each ship is in the charge of a master and officers who possess appropriate qualifications, in particular in seamanship, navigation, communications and marine engineering”.

Autonomous ships which are remotely controlled or which operate entirely using artificial intelligence, would not adhere to Article 94 of the convention due to the absence of crews on board.

The Strait of Malacca is considered a maritime pollution hotspot. From 1967 to 2017, there were 28 oil tanker accidents that caused thousands of tonnes of oil and hazardous substances to spill into the ocean. The accidents were often caused by seafarers’ negligence. Autonomous ships will minimise such accidents since navigational systems will become more sophisticated and increasingly controlled by computers.

However, the Asia-Pacific region is also dependent on maritime sector industries. China, the Philippines and Indonesia are considered large contributors of seafarers to these industries. The governments of these countries should be aware that as autonomous ships become more common, the need for seafarers will reduce.

Advertisement