A STUDY OF CHINA’S POLICIES AND LEGISLATION ON MARITIME AUTONOMOUS SURFACE SHIPS: EXPERIENCES FOR VIETNAM

Abstract

Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) have recently garnered significant attention from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and numerous countries worldwide. In the Asian region, China has emerged as one of the pioneering nations in researching, developing, and refining the legal and policy frameworks governing this new type of autonomous vessel. The country has not only issued strategic orientations and policy initiatives for the development of MASS but has also promulgated a series of national guidelines, technical standards, and regulatory frameworks aimed at ensuring effective management, operation, and supervision of unmanned maritime activities. This study focuses on three key aspects: (1) analyzing China’s policy and legal frameworks related to MASS; (2) providing comprehensive observations and evaluations of China’s regulatory approaches and management directions concerning autonomous ships; and (3) drawing valuable lessons and experiences that may serve as references for Vietnam in formulating and developing its own MASS-related policies and legal frameworks in the future. To achieve these objectives, the study employs a combination of scientific research methods, including listing, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, commentary, and critical assessment. The integration of these methodologies ensures objectivity, scientific rigor, and practical relevance of the findings, thereby providing a useful reference for policymakers and legal scholars in the process of policy formulation and legal development in Vietnam’s maritime sector amid the ongoing advancement of automation technologies in global shipping.