Cyber-worthiness in Shipping Law, Regulation and Practice

As the maritime industry undergoes a technological transformation, traditional legal doctrines must evolve to address new challenges. This book explores the legal and operational implications of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and the increasing reliance on digital systems in modern shipping. While automation and digitalisation enhance efficiency and safety, they also introduce unprecedented cyber risks that threaten global supply chains, financial stability and regulatory compliance. Redefining the concept of seaworthiness by incorporating cyber-worthiness and communication-worthiness, this book ensures that vessels are not only physically fit for sea travel but also resilient against cyber threats and equipped with secure communication systems. By analysing international regulations such as UNCLOS, SOLAS, STCW, and marine insurance frameworks, the book identifies critical legal gaps and proposes necessary updates to align with the digital age. Through a legal and interdisciplinary approach, the book offers practical recommendations for policymakers, insurers and maritime operators. It outlines robust cybersecurity measures, updates to insurance policies and regulatory frameworks that safeguard against evolving cyber threats. Providing maritime lawyers, insurers, shipowners and policymakers with clear guidance on how to navigate legal uncertainties surrounding autonomous vessels, cybersecurity risks and liability issues, the book offers practical solutions for insurance policies, charterparties and contractual clauses, ensuring that risks associated with cyber threats, remote operation and digital failures are adequately addressed. For practitioners, this book solves pressing legal and operational problems. It clarifies how existing maritime regulations (such as UNCLOS, SOLAS, and the ISM Code) apply to autonomous and digitalised ships, identifies gaps in current legal frameworks, and proposes necessary updates to ensure compliance.