Introduction

2.1 Various projects aiming to put surface vessels that have capability to be operated remotely or even autonomously into commercial use have been ongoing for some time.1 Developing appropriate technology is only one side of the equation. For such vessels to be able to legally operate in international waters, it is essential that maritime law rules, which are naturally drafted to reflect how ships are operated today by a crew on board, need to be amended. This is already in motion,2 though it is believed that this will be a lengthy process which will realistically not materialise at least until the next decade. Until that day, the use of such vessels will be restricted to territorial waters of states where they have jurisdiction to make appropriate regulation whilst waiting for the emergence of international rules in this field.3