Charting New Waters

Author: Taylor Gay
Publish Date: 10.15.2025

Artificial intelligence is making a significant impact on maritime law. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has outlined multiple ways AI is impacting maritime law. [1] AI is going to be a game-changer in the maritime world, but it also raises many unanswered questions in the legal realm.[2]

With the implementation of AI in maritime law, we have begun to see autonomous ships.[3] The IMO has defined four levels of autonomy, ranging from ships with some operations being run by AI to completely autonomous ships.[4] Autonomous ships would bring significant benefits across the maritime field, from surveillance to GPS systems, while reducing the risk of human error. [5] AI is already helping to optimize fuel, maintenance, operations, paperwork, port calls, logistics, voyage planning and more.[6] With regulatory and commercial pressure towards optimization, these uses will only expand.[7]

The emergence of artificial intelligence has raised many questions in the liability area of the law.[8] With ships being partially and completely autonomous, who bears the liability?[9] The problem arises when addressing the “master” and “crew” of the ship and determining if the master must be on board the ship.[10] The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) imposes duties on flag states.[11] An issue arises when a fully autonomous ship is transporting from port to port.[12] Is the person autonomously controlling the ship the master to be held liable, or will the ship’s flag state be held liable?[13]

While AI seeks to change the world in every way possible and presents new opportunities by the day, we must consider the legal challenges it brings.[14] Maritime law and the implementation of AI will no doubt make massive leaps; we must find a balance between AI advancements and the legal risks associated with it.[15]

[1] How Will AI Impact Maritime Law?, Thetius, https://thetius.com/how-will-ai-impact-maritime-law/ (last visited Sept. 23, 2025).
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
[13] Id.
[14] Id.
[15] Id.