EMSA
  • This Is EMSA
      • Back
      • Agency structure
      • Administrative Board
      • Our Management
      • Mission Statements
      • Legal Foundation
      • Financial Management
      • Environmental Management
      • Quality Management System
      • Partnerships
      • Personal Data Protection
      • Work with us
      • Transparency Portal
  • What we do
      • Back
      • Sustainability Sustainability
      • Safety & Security Safety & Security
      • Digitalisation Digitalisation
      • Simplification Simplification
      • Surveillance Surveillance
      • Technical Assistance Technical Assistance
  • Events
      • Back
      • Workshop Materials
      • Training Materials
  • Newsroom
      • Back
      • Latest News
      • Newsletters
      • Video Gallery
      • Infographics
      • Press Area
      • COVID-19 Impact
      • Subscriptions
      • Connect with EMSA
  • Publications
      • Back
      • Annual Highlights 2024
      • Corporate Publications
      • Leaflets & Brochures
      • Guidelines & Inventories
      • Technical Reports
      • Documents
      • Financial Texts
      • Legislative Texts
  • Contact us
      • Back
      • Practical Information
      • Contact Form
      • Advanced Search
      • Connect with EMSA
  1. Safety & Security
  2. Ship Safety Standards
  3. Risk Based Assessment Tool (RBAT)

Digitalisation

  • Ship Safety & Sustainability
  • Port State Control inspection Database - THETIS
  • THETIS EU
  • THETIS MRV
    • THETIS MRV Videos
      • THETIS MRV - Companies
      • THETIS MRV - Verifiers
      • THETIS MRV - Flag States
  • RuleCheck
  • Maritime Knowledge Centre (MaKCs)
  • STCW Information System

Relevant Legislation

  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1928
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1927
  • Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/2072
  • Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/2071
  • Regulation (EU) 2015/757

Risk Based Assessment Tool (RBAT)

Date

Published
14.03.2023
Updated
17.06.2025

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 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 sixth Report_EMSA.pdf
pdf RBAT part 3 Method development.pdf
pdf RBAT Method Description rev 4-2 .pdf
pdf [Older Reports] RBAT first report_EMSA.pdf
pdf [Older Reports] RBAT second report_EMSA.pdf
pdf [Older Reports] RBAT third report_EMSA.pdf
pdf [Older Reports] RBAT fourth report_EMSA.pdf
  • Categories
    Ship Safety Standards | Publications | Technical reports, studies and plans | Latest News
  • Tags
    MASS

Related Portals

thetis logo pmou equasis Thetis EU

Related Documents

  • THETIS MRV - Supporting Monitoring Reporting & Verification of CO2 Emissions

Relevant Publications - Digitalisation

Maritime Digital Services Catalogue
Maritime Digital Services Catalogue
03.11.2025
Europen Union flag
An Agency of the European Union
Working with us
Open vacancies
Traineeships
Public Procurement
Experts and Speakers
Transparency portal
Data protection
Access to documents
Legal notice
Accessibility
Contact
European Maritime Safety Agency
Praça Europa 4
Cais do Sodré
1249-206 LISBOA
Portugal
Access our contact form
Facebook linkedin X instagram Youtube
© 2025 European Maritime Safety Agency All Rights Reserved.
Information on this site is subject to a disclaimer, a copyright and personal data protection.