Autonomous vessels as ships – the definition conundrum

The development of unmanned and autonomous vessels has accelerated, resulting in the requirement to study the law surrounding shipping. This article studies recent literature and case laws to determine the various interpretations of the word ‘ship’. It, thereafter, seeks to determine which of these will have a bearing on autonomous vessels and whether the foreseeable technological incorporation is a challenge. Primarily, the focus is on showcasing that definitions across jurisdictions vary. The author points out that in the domain of private international law, this will result in disputes regarding applicability of admiralty laws.