We are delighted to share that Myo Min Thant, a PhD candidate at the International Executive School, has published a new study examining Myanmar’s readiness to adopt Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) technology in its shipping industry.

As global maritime operations increasingly turn toward automation and green energy solutions, coastal states face a critical challenge: are their legal frameworks and industries equipped to handle this technological shift? Myanmar, with its strategic position along major shipping routes, stands at a pivotal moment. Yet little research has examined how Myanmar’s seafaring professionals view both the regulatory landscape and the environmental promise of autonomous vessels. Thant’s study set out to bridge that gap.

Working alongside his PhD supervisor, Dr. Soula Kyriakou, Thant surveyed 51 Myanmar seafarer officers, professionals with firsthand knowledge of their country’s maritime industry. The findings paint a nuanced picture: approximately 40% of respondents believe Myanmar’s current legal framework is inadequate to handle the complexities that MASS technology would introduce. Simultaneously, around 70% of the surveyed professionals recognize that MASS adoption could significantly advance environmental sustainability in shipping.

What makes Thant’s research particularly valuable is its constructive lens. Rather than simply documenting gaps, the study contributes to the development of a systematic framework designed to support Myanmar as a coastal state in preparing for the anticipated emergence of MASS operations in its territorial waters. This work has real implications for maritime policymakers, shipping regulators, and industry stakeholders navigating the intersection of technological innovation, legal readiness, and environmental responsibility.

We congratulate Myo Min Thant on this achievement and are proud to support scholarship that strengthens Myanmar’s capacity for sustainable maritime development.

Reference: Min Thant, M., & Kyriakou, S. (2026). Evolving Regulatory Landscape and Environmental Perception: Myanmar’s Legal and Sustainability Readiness for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Adoption. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 17(4), 14. https://doi.org/10.36941/mjss-2026-0113