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REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Published: 23 October 2024
Updated: 13 February 2025
Shipping standards – an overview of existing and upcoming key regulations and standards affecting the commercial shipping sector.
| Legislation/Regulation | Date | Description | ||
| MARPOL Annex VI Amendment | 1 May 2024 | Amendment includes requirement for flash point confirmation to be included on Bunker Delivery Note.
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| ISO 8217:2024 | 30 May 2024 | The latest revision of the ISO standards for the specification of marine fuels, all other versions are considered ‘Withdrawn’ by ISO.
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| MLC Amendments | 23 Dec 2024 | 2022 Amendments – includes changes regarding supply of potable water for free and suitable sized personal protective equipment, amongst others.
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| MARPOL Annex I Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Special Area(s) | 1 Jan 2025 | Formal establishment date of MARPOL ANNEX I Special area’s ‘Red Sea’ and ‘Gulf of Aden’.
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| MARPOL Annex V Red Sea Special Area | 1 Jan 2025 | Formal establishment date of MARPOL Annex V Special area ‘Red Sea’.
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| FuelEU Maritime Regulation | 1 Jan 2025 | Commencement of first monitoring period.
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| CARB – Ocean going vessels at berth regulation | 1 Jan 2025 | Expansion of emission control requirements to include RORO vessels at all regulated berths, and tanker vessels at regulated terminals in the Ports of Los Angeles, and of Long Beach.
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| IMSBC Code Amendment 07-23 | 1 Jan 2025 | This amendment to the code is now mandatory from this date. Voluntary adoption has been possible since 1 January 2024.
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| IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 | 1 Jan 2025 | Possible to apply these amendments from this date, subject to agreement of the flag administration. | ||
| Amendment to International Ballast Water Management Convention | 1 Feb 2025 | New ballast water record book format to be followed from this date.
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| Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area (ECA) | 1 May 2025 | Mediterranean Sea ECA for sulphur oxides and particulate matter, takes effect from this date.
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| MARPOL Annex VI, Regulations 2, 14, and 18 and Appendix I | 1 August 2025 | Various amendments to address inconsistencies relating to gas and low-flashpoint fuels. Of particular note is confirmation on the information required on bunker delivery notes for these fuel types.
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| Amendment to International Ballast Water Management Convention | 1 October 2025 | Various amendments to address inconsistencies relating to gas and low-flashpoint fuels. Of particular note is confirmation on the information required on bunker delivery notes for these fuel types.
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| SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 Lifting Appliances and Anchor Handling Winches |
1 January 2026 | New requirements for ships lifting appliances and anchor handling winches for testing, examination, inspection, operations, and maintenance. | ||
| SOLAS V/31 and V/32 & MARPOL | 1 January 2026 | From this date it will be mandatory to report the loss of any freight container. Similarly, the master of every ship shall report sightings of any freight containers drifting at sea.
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| SOLAS V | 1 Jan 2026 | Bulk Carriers and Container Ships of 3,000 gt and above constructed after this date will be required to be fitted with an electronic inclinometer linked to the ships VDR. This will not apply retroactively to existing ships. | ||
| Canadian Arctic Emission Control Area (ECA) | 1 March 2026 | Entry into force of this new ECA for Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Sulphur Oxides (SOx) and Particulate Matter (PM). From 1 March 2027 the sulphur limit of fuel oil used on board must not exceed 0.10% m/m or an alternative compliance method must be used.
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| Norwegian Sea Emission Control Area (ECA) | 1 March 2026 | Entry into force of this new ECA for Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Sulphur Oxides (SOx) and Particulate Matter (PM). From 1 March 2027 the sulphur limit of fuel oil used on board must not exceed 0.10% m/m or an alternative compliance method must be used.
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| CARB – Ocean going vessels at berth regulation | 1 January 2027 | Planned expansion of emission control requirements to include all regulated tanker terminals in the State of California. |