We are now in the age of autonomy and automation. These relevant technologies are getting increasingly integrated into vessels' operations. It is beyond difficult to imagine the exclusion of automation from the operation of a commercial ship. Furthermore, tests on the commercial operation of fully autonomous surface ships are becoming more and more mainstream. In the era of digitalization, it is not surprising that contemporary technologies potentially create substantial impact on the law. Following this, it is evident that these will have vivid reflections on contracts governing legal relationships pertaining to the operation of ships that are either autonomous or remotely-controlled that are equipped with mechanisms of differentiating levels of automation. However, it is not very tangible what these reflections will be, and they need to be clarified to be able to promote the implementation of these relevant technologies in shipping. Accordingly, the article investigates the inevitable impact of autonomy and remote-control of ships on maritime contracts pertaining to the building, chartering, and managing of ships that are autonomous or remote-controlled.