The advent of autonomous vessels – expected as early as 2020 – will usher in a host of operational and regulatory challenges, according to Shepstone & Wylie partner, international transport, trade and energy department, Quintus van der Merwe.
“There is not an aspect of shipping that will not be affected,” he said. “Talking through the process of a ship loading at a port, sailing across the sea and arriving at the port of destination, you would have to consider who would issue a bill of lading when the cargo is loaded.”
He said that even the terms of the bill of lading would change as provisions relating to the Master of the ship and the crew would no longer apply – along with the reporting obligations of the Master on departure from the port.
“The same issues will arise on the vessel’s arrival at its port of destination where current reporting obligations and the potential for liability for things like pollution or customs formalities generally fall on the Master.”
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