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  1. Safety & Security
  2. Ship Safety Standards
  3. Risk Based Assessment Tool (RBAT)

Maritime Safety

  • Containership Safety
    • CARGOSAFE
  • Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
    • SAFEMASS
    • Risk Based Assessment Tool (RBAT)
  • Transportation of Alternative Fuelled Vehicles (AFV)
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Risk Based Assessment Tool (RBAT)

Date

Published
14.03.2023
Updated
05.05.2025

container7The accelerating technological developments in recent years has opened for new opportunities, and Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) represents a promising area for the maritime industry. However, new risks may emerge as technologies with advanced automation are introduced.

In the current absence of specific rules and standards for such technology, safety must instead be ensured by using the alternative design approach where each flag might have distinct interpretations so creating different safety levels. To enhance harmonisation, EMSA has contracted DNV GL to perform a functional study with the objective of developing a Risk Based Assessment Tool (RBAT) and software specifically for MASS facilitating the work of the EU Member States administrations in the analysis and approval of preliminary MASS designs.

Period: August 2020 - December 2024
Contractor: DNV
Deliverables: 5 reports

How can we ensure the safety of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)?

The Risk-Based Assessment Tool (RBAT) is a structured methodology designed to systematically identify hazards, evaluate risks, and define controls for autonomous vessel operations.

In this video, we walk through all five RBAT steps, from defining automation use and performing hazard analysis, to evaluating mitigation measures and implementing risk controls.

The methodology is Ideal for professionals working with MASS technology, safety frameworks, or regulatory compliance.

Key takeaways:

  • Structured hazard and mitigation analysis
  • Real-world examples from autonomous navigation
  • A step-by-step walkthrough of the RBAT methodology

Watch to explore how RBAT can support safe, effective, and future-ready autonomous maritime operations.

Files

pdf RBAT first report_EMSA.pdf
pdf RBAT second report_EMSA.pdf
pdf RBAT third report_EMSA.pdf
pdf RBAT_4th_report.pdf
pdf RBAT Final Method description v10 April 2025-NOOSLL24110303.pdf
  • Categories
    Ship Safety Standards | Publications | Technical reports, studies and plans | Latest News
  • Tags
    MASS

Related Activities – Ship Safety

CARGOSAFE
CARGOSAFE
Risk Based Assessment Tool (RBAT)
Risk Based Assessment Tool (RBAT)
SAFEMASS
SAFEMASS

Related Documents

  • Guidance on the carriage of AFVs in RO-RO spaces
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • CARGOSAFE
  • Risk Based Assessment Tool (RBAT)
  • Shore-Side Electricity (SSE)
  • SAFEMASS Study of the risks and regulatory issues of specific cases of MASS
  • EMSA guidance on Directive (EU) 2017/2110
  • FIRESAFE II
  • Study investigating cost effective measures for reducing the risk from fires on ro-ro passenger ships (FIRESAFE)
  • EMSA 3 – Final Presentation
  • STUDY 5 – EMSA 3 – Impact Assessment
  • STUDY 4 - EMSA 3 – FSA compilation and recommendations for decision making
  • STUDY 6 - EMSA 3 - Damage stability calculations of GOALDS RoPax designs
  • STUDY 1 - EMSA 3 - Risk acceptance criteria and risk based damage stability (Part 1 + Part 2)
  • STUDY 2 - EMSA 3 - Evaluation of risk from watertight doors
  • STUDY 3 -EMSA 3 - Evaluation of risk from groundings
  • Damage stability of Ro-Pax vessels - Final Report [2011]
  • Damage stability of Ro-Pax vessels [2009]
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