This book provides a comprehensive overview of smart ports and remote technologies in the maritime industry. It demonstrates how modern advances in artificial intelligence and robotics have transformed the shipping industry, and assesses the impact of this technology from a law and governance standpoint. The book covers a range of topics including port autonomous operations systems, cybersecurity, big data analytics, digitalization and blockchain to throw light on the opportunities and benefits of these new technologies in improving security and safety. It also considers the challenges and threats of their application. It concludes by examining the trajectory of national and international regulatory developments. The book will appeal to scholars and students of maritime technology, law and governance, as well as practitioners and policymakers. Chapters 8, 19 and 20 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This first-of-its-kind incisive and interdisciplinary volume spears through law and governance implications in relation to maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). The book focuses on a wide array of timely, topical and thorny issues under four distinct parts: setting the scene; naval warfare and security; safety, seaworthiness and techno-regulatory assessments; global environmental change; autonomous passenger transportation; liability and insurance; selected national and regional developments; and tying the threads. Thus, the main themes will stress on topics including evolution, environment, safety and security, society, insurance, liability, human element, design solutions and procedures, and selected national case studies. At the outset, the book commences with an insight into the role of innovation-diplomacy as the driving force that could expedite the transition from autonomation to autonomy, and a commentary from the Chair of IMO's MASS. After navigating through the complex law and governance landscape, the book concludes with a chapter that captures the essence of the paradigm shift and ties all critical findings for further consideration.Chapter 11 and Chapter 18 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.