This bulletin highlights key legislative changes impacting the maritime industry, with entry-into-force dates between July 2025 and July 2026. A proactive approach with awareness and preparation are crucial for ensuring compliance and preventing potential liabilities.
Key Upcoming Changes:
26 June, 2025: Hong Kong Convention (Adopted by SR/CONF/45) - Ship Recycling
- The International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships enters into force. This significant change will introduce new requirements for ship design, construction, operation, and recycling, aiming to ensure safety and environmental protection.
1 August, 2025: MARPOL Annex VI & IMO DCS Amendments
- Marine Diesel Engines (MEPC.385(81)): Amendments to regulation 13.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI related to marine diesel engines when replacing a steam system.
- IMO DCS (Adopted by MEPC.385(81)): Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 27, and appendix IX . Enhancements to the IMO Data Collection System, focusing on improved data accessibility, inclusion of transport work data, and increased granularity. This will require more detailed reporting on fuel oil consumption.
- Low-Flashpoint Fuels (Adopted by MEPC.385(81)): Amendments concerning low-flashpoint fuels and other fuel oil-related issues under MARPOL Annex VI. These amendments to regulation 2 of MARPOL Annex VI update the definition of “fuel oil” and include a definition of “gas fuel”
1 October, 2025: MARPOL Annex VI & BWM Convention Amendments
- Electronic Ballast Water Record Book (Adopted by MEPC.383(81)): Introduction of amendments allowing for the use of electronic record books under the Ballast Water Management Convention. Those choosing to use electronic record books for compliance with the ballast water management convention are to follow the MEPC.372(80) Guidelines for the use of electronic record books under the BWM Convention
1 January, 2026: Comprehensive Updates Across Multiple Conventions
- LSA Code (Adopted by MSC.554(108)): Various amendments to the Life-Saving Appliance Code, including changes for single fall and hook systems, ventilation of totally enclosed lifeboats (for new installations from Jan 1, 2029), in-water performance of lifejackets, and lowering speed of survival craft and rescue boats.
- SOLAS (Adopted by MSC.532(107), MSC.550(108), MSC.532(107), MSC.520(106), MEPC.384(81), MSC.536(107), MSC.537(107), MSC.559(108): Significant amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention covering:
- Lifting appliances and anchor handling winches (II-1). MSC.1/Circ.1663 - Guidelines for Lifting Appliances. MSC.1/Circ.1662 - Guidelines for Anchor Handling Winches
- Fire safety on Ro-Ro passenger ships (II-2).
- Fire protection of control stations on new cargo ships (II-2).
- Prohibition of firefighting foams containing PFOS (II-2).
- Reporting confirmed cases of oil fuel suppliers failing flashpoint requirements (II-2).
- Mandatory carriage of electronic inclinometers on container ships and bulk carriers (V).
- Mandatory reporting on the loss of containers (V/31, V/32).
- Amendments to MSC.402(96) regarding lifeboat ventilation systems (III).
- IGF Code (Adopted by MSC.551(108): Various amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels.
- IGF & IGC Code (Adopted by MSC.523(106), MSC.524(106)): Amendments for the use of high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service under both IGF and IGC Codes.
- Polar Code (Adopted by MSC.532(107), MSC.538(107)): Amendments to SOLAS chapter XIV and related amendments to the Polar Code for non-SOLAS ships operating in Polar waters.
- IMDG Code (Adopted by MSC.556(108)): Continued development of Amendment (42-24) to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.
- Grain Code (Adopted by MSC.552(108)): Introduction of a new class of loading conditions.
- STCW Code (Adopted by MSC.560(108)): Amendments for the prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment, emphasizing a safer onboard environment.
- FSS Code (Adopted by MSC.555(108)): Amendments related to fire safety on Ro-Ro passenger ships (Chapter 7) and all ships (Chapter 9).
1 March, 2026: MARPOL Annex VI - Future Emission Control Areas
- Norwegian Sea ECA & Canadian Arctic ECA (MEPC.392(82)): New Emission Control Areas for NOx and SOx are expected to come into effect in these regions.
1 July, 2026: IGC Code - Ammonia as Fuel
- Ammonia Cargo as Fuel (Adopted by MSC.566(109)): Amendments related to the use of ammonia cargo as fuel, with voluntary early implementation becoming fully effective on this date.
September 1, 2026: NOx Technical Code
- Engine Re-certification (Adopted by MEPC.398(83)): Amendments for re-certification procedures of existing engines under the NOx Technical Code.
We strongly advise all members to review these upcoming changes and assess their potential impact on your operations, vessel certification, and crew training. Early preparation is key to ensuring continuous compliance and mitigating risks.
For detailed information on each amendment, please refer to the relevant IMO circulars and publications. Your P&I club remains available to assist with any queries.
For further information and official documentation, please refer to the relevant IMO and ILO publications on their official websites.
https://www.imo.org/en/about/conventions/pages/amendments-to-imo-instruments.aspx
https://www.imo.org/en/knowledgecentre/indexofimoresolutions/pages/default.aspx