Even in the wake of two major international symposiums addressing these industry trends, we are left with a crucial reality: public trust is fractured, and the regulatory environment is fragmented. Who does the public believe—corporate marketing campaigns? Social media influencers? Universities? Billionaire explorers? Government authorities? In a space filled with technical complexity, the noise is deafening, and the risk is real.
REGULATION & SOUND OVERSIGHT
At the heart of the problem is a regulatory vacuum. Unlike more mature sectors— aviation, pharmaceuticals, communications, and even space exploration—the submarine
industry lacks unified international frameworks. This makes it difficult to ensure consistent safety standards and to foster the responsible growth of a technology poised to play a transformative role in the future of marine science, infrastructure, and resource management.
The lesson from history is clear. As emerging technologies become integral to public life and national economies, individual choice must be supported by sound oversight.
We do not expect citizens to determine the safety of airplanes, medications, or MRI machines on their own. Submarines are no different. Without a framework, the potential for misinformation, abuse, and tragedy increases.
There is, however, a path forward.
A UNITED APPROACH
The Marine Technology Society (MTS) and its Submarine Technical Committee have spent decades working quietly but diligently to prepare for this moment. As submarines evolve from experimental platforms into commercial, industrial, and logistical workhorses, the need for standardized regulatory “lanes” has become undeniable.
These classifications—tailored to different vehicle types and operations—must be globally recognized and reflect the collective knowledge of experts, authorities, and stakeholders alike.
This October, at the International Submarine Symposium in Tenerife, Canary Islands, MTS is convening a one-day Flag State Round Table—a critical first step toward harmonizing global submarine regulation.
The goal: to bring together maritime authorities and regulatory agencies from across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond to sit at one table, meet face to face, and consider two foundational efforts: 1. Developing internationally recognized definitions and categories for submersible vehicles and their operation; and 2. Harmonizing safety requirements and regulatory standards across national boundaries for different classes of submersibles.
MTS has long served as a convener, bringing stakeholders together to address complex, cross-sector issues that face the ocean industries. At this moment, and through MTS, the global industry stands ready to support national efforts, offering expertise, operational data, and decades of institutional knowledge. No nation needs to approach this challenge alone. For countries with no existing framework, this is an opportunity—not a burden.
The ocean is inherently international. So too must be our approach to the vehicles that operate within it. By working together now, we can avoid future confusion, protect lives, and create the conditions for a thriving global subsea industry.
Join us in Tenerife. Help shape the future of submarine operations—before it shapes us.
This spotlight appeared in ON&T Magazine’s 2025 June Edition, Deep-Sea Exploration, to read more access the magazine here.
