EnglishCOMMERCIAL SHIPPING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Published: 23 October 2024
Updated: 15 August 2025
The list below is a selection of existing and upcoming key regulations and standards affecting the commercial shipping sector, that we believe are of notable interest to Members. However, the list is non-exhaustive and is for guidance only, in particular noting that local legislation can often be different from those agreed at an international level. Therefore, it is important that Members continue to monitor all available sources to determine changes to rules, regulation, and legislation that may affect their ships and trade.
| 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| The latest revision of the ISO standards for the specification of marine fuels, all other versions are considered ‘Withdrawn’ by ISO.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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| Brazilian Biofouling Regulation Amendment to NORMAM 401/DPC |
17 June 2025 | New rules on biofouling introduced by Brazil. Requirements include a ship specific Biofouling Management Plan, a Biofouling Record Book, and the requirement to obtain approval before undertaking hull cleaning in Brazilian waters. | ||
| Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (Hong Kong Convention) | 26 June 2025 | International rules governing the safe recycling of ships.
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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 | Formal approval process for shipowners wishing to use an electronic format for the required ballast water record book.
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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. | ||
| Grain Code | 1 January 2026 | Amendment to Grain Code, introducing a fourth permissible loading pattern – “Specially suitable compartment, partly filled in way of the hatch opening, with ends untrimmed”. Applicable to new build ships and permissible in existing ships following approval of updated grain loading manual.
IMO Resolution MSC.552(108) |
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| 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. | ||
| OSPAR Commission | 1 July 2027 | Ban on discharges from open-loop scrubbers within internal waters and port areas of the OSPAR contacting countries.
Related links: OSPAR Commission – OSPAR Decision 2025/01 on management of discharge water from Exhaust |
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| MLC Amendments | 23 December 2027 | 2025 Amendments – includes new requirements on shore leave, casualty handling, and the prevention of harassment and bullying
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