DNV
Norwegian classification society and risk management company that certifies ships, offshore structures, and autonomous vessels.
Last refreshed: 29 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Will DNV class rules diverge from IMO national interpretations during the autonomous ship experience-building phase?
Timeline for DNV
Certified autonomous and remotely operated vessels under own rules ahead of IMO code
Autonomous Systems: Land & Sea: First global code for crewless ships- Does DNV certify autonomous ships before the IMO MASS Code takes effect?
- Yes. DNV certifies autonomous and remotely operated vessels under its own class rules, ahead of the IMO MASS Code entering force on 1 July 2026. It requires a risk assessment and certifies both the vessel and any Remote Control Centre ashore.Source: DNV
- What is DNV's role in autonomous shipping regulation?
- DNV is a Norwegian classification society that sets technical standards for ship safety and insurability. It already certifies MASS vessels and Remote Control Centres under its own rules, placing it ahead of the non-mandatory IMO MASS Code.Source: DNV
- How might DNV rules conflict with national MASS Code interpretations?
- During the non-mandatory Experience Building Phase (2026-2032), flag states decide their own autonomous shipping permissions. If national rules diverge from DNV class standards, a ship certified by DNV may still lack flag-state permission to operate in certain jurisdictions.Source: event
Background
DNV (formerly Det Norske Veritas) is a Norwegian maritime classification society and risk-management organisation. In the context of the IMO MASS Code adopted on 22 May 2026, DNV is one of the classification societies that already certifies autonomous and remotely operated vessels under its own rules, ahead of the code entering force on 1 July 2026. DNV requires that flag-state approval of MASS operations include a risk assessment, and it certifies both autonomous vessels and their Remote Control Centres ashore.
As a class society, DNV sets technical standards that shipowners must meet for their vessels to be classed and insurable. Its advance certification work means the MASS Code is, in regulatory terms, catching up to commercial practice that DNV and peers like Lloyd's Register have already legitimised. That creates the risk the briefing flags: DNV class rules and national flag interpretations may diverge during the Experience Building Phase before the IMO code becomes mandatory in 2032.
DNV's broader role in maritime safety extends to offshore energy, pipeline Integrity and sustainability certification. Its headquarters are in Høvik, Norway.