Navigating innovation a regulatory sandbox framework for UK Maritime autonomy
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Navigating innovation a regulatory sandbox framework for UK Maritime autonomy
This whitepaper explores the regulatory and operational challenges facing UK innovators in the maritime autonomy sector, particularly the lack of accessible, scalable pathways for early-stage testing of smaller uncrewed vessels.
This whitepaper sets out the case for a proportionate, risk-based regulatory sandbox model and outlines how freeports and regional innovation hubs could play a central role in enabling and implementing such frameworks.
The development of this work, in collaboration with Stehr Consulting, presents the economic opportunity for initiatives seeking to drive UK expertise and subsequent delivery in maritime autonomy. This has been developed closely with industry via industrial bodies such as the Society of Maritime Industries and the FAST (Future Autonomous at Sea Technologies) Cluster among other economic initiatives such as the Freeport Innovation Network. This paper hopes to reach key Government organisations including but not limited to; the Department for Transport, the Department for Science and Innovation and Technology, the Department for Business and Trade, along with subsets such as the Maritime Coastguard Agency and the Ministry of Defence (including the Defence Maritime Regulator and the Naval Authority Group), to start conversations aimed at accelerating UK maritime autonomous development.
This discussion builds on the Maritime Regulatory Innovation Framework (MRIF), developed as part of a successful project for the Regulatory Innovation Fund (RPF3), and dictates the next steps for the wider initiative to move forward. Connected Places Catapult has therefore presented options for enabling innovation, providing a balanced basis for discussion while providing practical next steps to put the UK at the forefront of developing responsible dual-use autonomous technologies.
Next steps
• Government funders – Invest in implementation and scale-up of regulatory
sandboxes, including the MRIF derived concept.
• Maritime Coastguard Agency and Ministry of Defence – Support adoption and integration into regulatory pathways.
• Freeports and regional authorities –Explore hosting and supporting sandbox activity.
• Industry and strategic bodies – Advocate, participate, and help shape the ecosystem.
