Study on jurisdiction for Remote Operation Centres
At the initiative of the Norwegian Maritime Authority, a legal study has been conducted on the jurisdiction of Remote Operation Centres (ROCs) in relation to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
BACKGROUND: In spring 2024, Norway signed an agreement aimed at strengthening international cooperation on the operation of unmanned and autonomous ships (MASS), known as the North Sea MoU. The agreement, which has also been signed by Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany, establishes a framework for the exchange of knowledge and information.
Read the study here
In this context, the Norwegian Maritime Authority commissioned a short legal study examining issues related to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The study focuses in particular on jurisdiction in cases where vessel operations are conducted from a Remote Operation Centre located in a state other than the flag state.
“The study was carried out by Associate Professor Iva Parlov at BI Norwegian Business School. Such studies primarily reflect the author’s views. The Norwegian Maritime Authority will, however, consider whether the findings should be incorporated into its further work on MASS,” says Lisbeth Christine Toft, Senior Legal Adviser in the Department for Operational Supervision at the Norwegian Maritime Authority.