An analysis of the legal consequences of maritime piracy attacks on autonomous vessels

Abstract

Autonomous vessels are considered to be the future of the maritime industry. The introduction and use of such vessels will bring about new legal and practical considerations and challenges, especially in terms of defence against maritime security threats. Piracy has been and continues to be a significant threat to maritime trade. This dissertation examines effects of this crime on the international community and the ramifications of the threat for the international shipping activities. Against this backdrop, the study considers how once introduced into the market, autonomous vessels may be affected by the crime of maritime piracy. It discusses the development of autonomous vessels, and current efforts aimed at the regulation of these new ships. It focuses on the advantages and disadvantages presented by the use of such vessels, particularly in relation to piracy attacks. The main focus of the dissertation is therefore an assessment of the legal consequences of maritime piracy attacks on autonomous vessels. In this respect, the study examines to what extent, if at all, can the international legal regime to prevent and suppress acts of piracy under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea cater for attacks against autonomous vessels and how they potentially monitor the use of said vessels.