Maritime autonomous surface ships, or MASS, are the marine equivalent of self-driving cars or drones and play a crucial role in Canada's strategic future. In recognition of this, MASS was identified as 1 of the 5 themes in the Government of Canada's Blue Economy Targeted Regulatory Review and as 1 of 2 focus areas in round 3 of the regulatory reviews, launched in 2022 to identify regulatory barriers to economic growth and innovation in the blue economy. The review resulted in the release in June 2024 of a blue economy regulatory roadmap—or in this case, a "navigational chart." This roadmap outlines 13 initiatives, grouped into 5 themes, to support and accelerate innovation across the blue economy. Three of the initiatives in the roadmap will serve to advance MASS technology, to the benefit of Canada's economy, security and innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Ayda Ali Elhage, a research council officer at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), states, "You can use MASS for research and development or for applications like ocean mapping and hydrographic surveys, but you can also use it for defence." She explains that MASS allows 24-hour surveillance of coastal areas, including the relatively inaccessible Arctic, and that small MASS function as sea-going drones.
In 2023, supported by the NRC's Ocean program and Transport Canada's Innovation Centre, Dr. Elhage began working on developing a MASS research strategy to help provide a framework for how MASS technology can be advanced in Canada, and why it's important for Canada to do so. The strategy explores the advantages and limitations of marine autonomous surface ships. It analyzes their role in Canada and outlines ways to encourage innovation and research, development and demonstration (RD&D) and to support the transition to MASS-enabled vessels in Canadian waters and encourage Canadian innovation in the MASS sector.
Reflecting on her work, Dr. Elhage says, "We are well positioned to become an important global designer, manufacturer and provider of MASS technologies."
She highlights that Canada has expertise in AI, engineering, sensor systems, naval architecture, machine learning and data analysis—all key to developing MASS technology. Canada's well-developed marine infrastructure, diverse marine conditions and environments and access to 3 oceans make it well-suited for developing MASS that can withstand all possible operational situations. Canada also posseses the world's longest coastline and boasts exceptional testing facilities, living labs and innovation hubs for ocean technology, such as the Launch, the PIER, COVE and the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) .
Global economic projections put the value of the MASS market at US$12 billion by 2029, a market that includes integrated technologies such as autonomous navigation systems, connectivity technologies and tools, sensors and digital technologies. This represents a promising economic opportunity for Canada and could lead to the modernization of the country's ocean infrastructure and upgrades to Canada's ships with digital technologies, AI, cameras and other essential sensors and innovations.
However, MASS regulations in Canada and internationally for this emerging technology are still being developed. Existing international legal frameworks for maritime transport require seafarers to be on board in order to operate and control shipboard systems and functions. And under Canada's current laws, crews are required to be on board vessels, meaning that remote operation and MASS testing require exemptions. While exemptions are currently possible, they can be obtained only for vessels under 12 metres in length or those not more than 15 gross tonnage.
At the international level, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which oversees global shipping regulations, is developing a non-mandatory framework, or a MASS code, that is set to be published in 2026. IMO member states, including Canada, will have 6 years to test the code and work with the IMO to refine it before it becomes mandatory in 2032. Once published, this code will help shape domestic regulations in Canada.
Dr. Elhage explains that, before MASS can be used widely in Canada, testing is essential to ensure sensors will function in Canada's harsh conditions. For instance, sensors developed in Europe may not have been designed or tested for operation at the extreme cold temperatures we experience in Canada or for safe operation in such environments over extended periods. "And if you don't test it, you cannot deploy it," she emphasizes.
The success of MASS in Canada involves multiple government departments and agencies. To facilitate collaboration between the various actors, Dr. Elhage leads 2 MASS working groups:
- The MASS interdepartmental working group, which brings together Transport Canada regulators and stakeholders from their Innovation Centre, Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Blue Economy Strategy group, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, the Canadian Coast Guard, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada as well as from regional development agencies in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
- The Canadian Forum for MASS, that provides webinar series to foster discussions between government representatives, port authorities, ship pilots, owners and operators as well as technology developers and researchers working on MASS advancements and use cases
"MASS presents opportunities for strategic partnerships with international counterparts. Norway, the UK and Japan are leaders in this field, and by advancing our work in MASS, we have a major opportunity to collaborate on research and development and exchange lessons learned."