Resolution MSC.595(111): International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code)

Notes

# Resolution MSC.595(111) — International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code)

Adopted by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee at its 111th session (MSC 111, 13–22 May 2026), circulated as **MSC 111/22, Annex 16**. The Committee invites Governments to give effect to the non-mandatory Code on **1 July 2026**. This is the goal-based instrument recommended by the earlier regulatory scoping exercise ([[mass-regulatory-scoping-exercise]], MSC.1/Circ.1638, 2021).

Renamed from the inbox filename `MSC 111-22-Annex 16 (Secretariat).pdf` to a clean, greppable name.

## Pagination

**PDF page = printed "Annex 16, page N" (offset 0).** Locators in the wiki articles give `(PDF p. N, orig. p. N)` — the two coincide for this source.

## Document structure — chapter → page map

| Section | PDF pages |
|---------|-----------|
| Resolution MSC.595(111) (adopting text) | 1 |
| Contents (TOC) | 2–5 |
| Preamble | 6–7 |
| **Part I – Introduction** | |
| Ch 1 – Purpose, principles and objectives | 7–8 |
| Ch 2 – Application | 8 |
| Ch 3 – Code structure | 8 |
| Ch 4 – Definitions | 9–11 |
| **Part II – Principles for MASS and MASS functions** | |
| Ch 5 – Surveys and certificates | 12–17 |
| Ch 6 – Approval process | 17–18 |
| Ch 7 – Risk assessment | 18–19 |
| Ch 8 – Operational context | 19–23 |
| Ch 9 – System design | 23–25 |
| Ch 10 – Software principles | 25–26 |
| Ch 11 – Management of safe operations | 26–29 |
| Ch 12 – Special measures to enhance maritime security | 29–31 |
| Ch 13 – Alert management | 31–33 |
| Ch 14 – Manning, training and watchkeeping | 33–37 |
| Ch 15 – Maintenance | 37–38 |
| **Part III – Goals, functional requirements and expected performances** | |
| Ch 16 – Safety of navigation | 38–41 |
| Ch 17 – Connectivity | 41–42 |
| Ch 18 – Remote operations | 42–45 |
| Ch 19 – Structure, subdivision, stability and watertight integrity | 45–46 |
| Ch 20 – Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction | 46–47 |
| Ch 21 – Search and rescue | 47–48 |
| Ch 22 – Carriage of cargoes | 48–49 |
| Ch 23 – Anchoring, towing and mooring | 49 |
| Ch 24 – Machinery and electrical installations | 49–50 |
| **Appendix** – Format for certificates and records | 51–78 |
| **Annex 1** – Approval process | 79–83 |
| **Annex 2** – Framework for Concept of Operations (ConOps) | 84–87 |
| Figure 1 (Operational Envelope / ODD / Fallback / Contingency), in Annex 2 | 87 |

**Figures:** Figure 1 (PDF p. 87) — relationship between Operational Envelope, Operational Design Domain, Fallback State and Contingency Plans; supports Chapter 8. Extracted to `Wiki/images/mass-code-ch08-operational-context/fig-1-operational-envelope-odd-fallback-relationship.png`. OCR ok (born-digital text). No other diagrams; the appendix (p. 51–87) is certificate and record forms.

## Compilation

Multi-chapter regulatory instrument (87 pages, 24 chapters across 3 parts, plus an appendix of certificate/record forms and two supporting annexes — Annex 1 Approval Process, Annex 2 ConOps Framework). Compiled as a hub article ([[mass-code]]) plus one article per chapter, one for the appendix, and one per annex. See `_INGESTED.md`.

## BibTeX

```bibtex
@techreport{imo2026masscode,
  author      = {{International Maritime Organization}},
  title       = {Resolution MSC.595(111): International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code)},
  institution = {International Maritime Organization},
  type        = {Resolution},
  number      = {MSC.595(111), MSC 111/22 Annex 16},
  address     = {London},
  year        = {2026},
  month       = {5},
  note        = {Adopted 22 May 2026 at MSC 111; non-mandatory, to take effect 1 July 2026}
}
```

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