Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of awarding the first certification for a remotely operated and unmanned vessel under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Workboat Code Edition 3 Annex 2 to the ACUA Ocean PIONEER on (a) civilian passenger transport and (b) commercial shipping.

The Department for Transport, in collaboration with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), recognises the certification of ACUA Ocean’s PIONEER under Workboat Code Edition 3 Annex 2 as a significant milestone in innovation in the UK’s maritime regulatory landscape. This certification marks the first formal regulatory approval for a remotely operated unmanned vessel (ROUV) under the revised Workboat Code, setting a precedent for future autonomous maritime operations.

The PIONEER is not designed for passenger carriage, is not certificated for passenger carriage and does not operate in contexts involving civilian transport. As such, the direct impact on civilian passenger transport is minimal at this stage. The Department continues to monitor technological advancements and public safety considerations in this area.

The certification of PIONEER is expected to have a more immediate and transformative impact on commercial shipping. The vessel’s hydrogen-powered propulsion and autonomous capabilities align with the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan and decarbonisation goals. It is designed for offshore surveillance, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection, offering a lower-emission alternative to conventional crewed vessels.

This development supports the broader regulatory framework for autonomous and remotely operated vessels, enabling safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable operations in commercial sectors such as offshore energy, logistics, and hydrographic survey operations.

The Department remains committed to working with industry stakeholders to ensure that safety, environmental, and operational standards evolve in step with technological innovation.