{"id":"854db4ea-74b6-4133-9ec7-836ad4266c7a","slug":"imo-mass-code-2026","kind":"safety_standard","headline":"IMO MASS Code -- first global framework for maritime autonomous surface ships","summary":"The International Maritime Organization's Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code) entered into force on July 1, 2026 as a non-mandatory instrument following adoption at IMO MSC 111 (May 2026). It applies to cargo ships and establishes the first internationally agreed regulatory framework for vessels operating with reduced or no human crew. The code initiates an 'Experience Building Phase'; the IMO MASS Working Group will reconvene at MSC 112 in December 2026 to assess further development. As a non-mandatory instrument, flag states and operators may voluntarily comply; mandatory provisions are expected in a later phase. No specific commercial vessel has yet been confirmed as operating under the MASS Code framework.","locationId":"6753d6b9-d63f-41f8-b672-4d80bdb4dd82","effectiveAt":"2026-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","expiresAt":null,"reviewStatus":"unreviewed","formFactors":["maritime"],"aliases":["MASS Code","IMO MASS Code","Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships Code"],"collisionRisk":"none","reviewNote":null,"createdAt":"2026-07-02T04:15:32.153Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-02T04:15:32.153Z","location":{"id":"6753d6b9-d63f-41f8-b672-4d80bdb4dd82","name":"Global","slug":"global","kind":"city","parentLocationId":null,"region":null,"lat":null,"lng":null,"reviewStatus":"unreviewed","aliases":[],"collisionRisk":"high","reviewNote":null,"createdAt":"2026-06-08T01:03:25.017Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-08T01:03:25.017Z"},"derived":{"status":"in_effect"},"sources":[{"id":"47f313a1-ad8b-46f4-b504-a21e9a910e12","regulationId":"854db4ea-74b6-4133-9ec7-836ad4266c7a","url":"https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/imo-adopts-mass-code.aspx","label":null,"publishedAt":null,"notes":null,"title":"IMO: MASS Code adopted at MSC 111 -- first global framework for autonomous ships (May 2026)","sourceName":"International Maritime Organization","mediaType":"article","videoId":null,"channel":null,"durationSec":null,"timestampSec":null,"createdAt":"2026-07-02T04:15:32.153Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-02T04:15:32.153Z"},{"id":"969bb225-4bb9-4671-9544-714542c33d8c","regulationId":"854db4ea-74b6-4133-9ec7-836ad4266c7a","url":"https://gcaptain.com/imo-adopts-mass-code-the-autonomous-ship-moves-from-drawing-board-to-regulated-reality/","label":null,"publishedAt":null,"notes":null,"title":"gCaptain: IMO adopts MASS Code -- autonomous ship moves from drawing board to regulated reality","sourceName":"gCaptain","mediaType":"article","videoId":null,"channel":null,"durationSec":null,"timestampSec":null,"createdAt":"2026-07-02T04:15:32.153Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-02T04:15:32.153Z"},{"id":"43201970-7cc7-49ab-81cd-1d992e56a0ca","regulationId":"854db4ea-74b6-4133-9ec7-836ad4266c7a","url":"https://www.dnv.com/news/2026/imo-mcs-111-new-mass-code-adopted/","label":null,"publishedAt":null,"notes":null,"title":"DNV: IMO MSC 111 -- MASS Code adopted, effective July 1, 2026","sourceName":"DNV","mediaType":"article","videoId":null,"channel":null,"durationSec":null,"timestampSec":null,"createdAt":"2026-07-02T04:15:32.153Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-02T04:15:32.153Z"}],"statusEvents":[],"jsonLd":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","@id":"https://registry.deploy.report/regulations/imo-mass-code-2026","url":"https://registry.deploy.report/regulations/imo-mass-code-2026","name":"IMO MASS Code -- first global framework for maritime autonomous surface ships","description":"The International Maritime Organization's Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code) entered into force on July 1, 2026 as a non-mandatory instrument following adoption at IMO MSC 111 (May 2026). It applies to cargo ships and establishes the first internationally agreed regulatory framework for vessels operating with reduced or no human crew. The code initiates an 'Experience Building Phase'; the IMO MASS Working Group will reconvene at MSC 112 in December 2026 to assess further development. As a non-mandatory instrument, flag states and operators may voluntarily comply; mandatory provisions are expected in a later phase. No specific commercial vessel has yet been confirmed as operating under the MASS Code framework.","identifier":"854db4ea-74b6-4133-9ec7-836ad4266c7a","legislationDate":"2026-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","legislationApplies":{"@type":"Place","name":"Global"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://deploy.report/#organization"}},"framework_metadata":{"framework_schema_version":"0.1.0","verification_status":"unreviewed","maturity_stage":null,"lifecycle_state":null,"architectural_position":{"cohort":null,"sub_cohorts":[]},"within_cohort_verified_vs_claimed_pair":null,"cap_flags":[],"verification_depth":{"sources_count":3,"primary_source_types":[]}}}