The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has outlined how its Maritime Innovation Hub will support organisations developing, testing and deploying maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS), including remotely operated vessels.
The GOV.UK guidance, first published on 3 June 2026 and last updated on 19 June 2026, is intended to help maritime innovators understand which MCA requirements apply to their vessel or concept, what evidence may be needed, and how testing activity should be structured in UK waters.
According to the MCA, maritime autonomy can fall across several codes and guidance documents, depending on the vessel’s length overall, operating area and intended use.
For vessels under 2.5 metres, the guidance refers to MGN 702, which covers a general exemption for remotely operated unmanned vessels below that size threshold. For vessels from 2.5 metres to less than 4.5 metres, it refers to MGN 705, which applies to remotely operated unmanned vessels within that range.
The MCA said most commercial autonomous vessels currently fall between 4.5 metres and 24 metres, including workboats. For this category, the Maritime Innovation Hub supports organisations by signposting certifying authorities, helping them navigate requirements under MGN 664, and assisting with trial planning, safety cases and documentation.
For vessels above 24 metres, the guidance says additional assurance pathways apply. These include consideration of how MGN 664 applies to larger vessels, the legal differences between autonomous and conventional vessel operations, the interaction between classification society rules and MCA requirements, and evidence relating to remote operations, watchkeeping equivalence and whole ship integration.
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The MCA said the Hub provides a single point of entry for innovators seeking access to regulatory and technical expertise. Areas of support include trial design, evidence planning, safety case development, human machine interface considerations, regulatory readiness and approval pathways.
The agency has also established designated trial areas within Plymouth Harbour, working with the King’s Harbour Master Plymouth, for prototype vessels using innovative technology.
For more information:
UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency
