Recently, researchers have shown a soared interest in maritime autonomous surface ships (MASSs). High reliability is required to, support unmanned operations. Hence, the reliability design and risk evaluation of MASSs are crucial. It is necessary and critical to keep, abreast of emerging trends of the development of MASS's safety and reliability-related technologies. Based on the 54 most relevant, articles identified fromWebsite of Science between 2015 and 2021, content analyses and science mapping were conducted in this study, from the aspects of journal sources, keywords, countries and institutions, authors, and citation of these publications. The qualitative, analysis arrives at the following results: Firstly, the most influential journals and knowledge contributors in this field are Reliability, Engineering and System Safety (RESS), Ocean Engineering (OE), Safety Science (SS). Secondly, previous studies reveals that some, most widely discussed research topics include collision avoidance, hazard identification, and risk modelling. Thirdly, the research trend, of risk and reliability analysis for MASS in recent years has been extended from the traditional navigational risk assessment ahead, to machinery, cyber and human reliability and maintenance. Finally, the Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) and Function, Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) are reckoned as two possible practical methods for future research risk and reliability analysis for, MASS.