Thinking MASS in System

The chapter intends to include MASS developments into broader perspectives, using a system thinking lens, meaning, mixing disciplines and approaches. First, the main drivers of the evolution of shipping technology are contextualized. Second, the paper argues that MASS development is influenced by technology providers and States supporting national competitiveness. Third, it is recalled that the promotion of autonomy of technical systems originated from the military sector, which prompted unmanned vehicle developments, later followed by the growing ITC sector. Fourth, the prudent approach to autonomy at sea of shipping companies is stressed, suggesting a gap between technology developers and targeted buyers. Fifth, the narrative behind the promotion of MASS in the maritime sector is discussed, and some milestones are proposed. Sixth, assumptions and beliefs underpinning MASS promotion are briefly discussed, suggesting a growing representation gap between technology designers and operators. Seventh, the chapter points out MASS researchers’ obsession with machine-driven navigation but the omission of self-repairing functions continuously performed by seafarers at sea. Finally, the chapter argues that MASS development requires the multiplication of analytical perspectives as proposed by system thinking.