Maritime Regulation News

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has published the maritime industry’s first dedicated Guidance Notes for onboard hydrogen generation, providing clarity on the safe design and integration of hydrogen generator technologies on ships.The new Guidance Notes respond directly to growing interest from shipowners, yards and technology developers in producing hydrogen onboard using alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia.While hydrogen is widely seen as a key fuel for decarbonization, limited supply and availability of complex bunkering infrastructure significantly slow adoption in shipping.

The International Maritime Organization's Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) held its 12th session at IMO Headquarters in London, January 19-23, and was chaired by Mr. Erik Tvedt (Denmark). Outcomes are summarized below:KEY OUTCOMESDraft workplan agreed to develop a safety framework for selected GHG-reducing technologiesActions to reduce underwater radiated noise from shipsDraft guidelines on remote inspection techniques for ESP surveys agreedDraft revised Guidelines…

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or Commission) launched an investigation related to possible non-compliance of the Shipping Act by ocean common carriers that may be unjustly and unreasonably restricting motor carriers (truckers) and shippers in their choice of chassis providers.The Commission seeks to determine whether ocean common carriers are using practices that directly or indirectly deprive truckers and shippers from negotiating and dealing with chassis providers. Any practices…

A set of amendments to key IMO treaties and Codes have entered into force on January 1, 2026. They include the following: Preventing and responding to bullying, harassment and sexual assaultAmendments to the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code) aim to prevent and respond to violence and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault.The amendments are included in table A-VI/1-4 (Specification of minimum standard of competence in personal safety and social responsibilities) of the STCW Code.

Pole Star Global, a leader in maritime intelligence and regulatory compliance solutions, announced the launch of the Maritime Transparency Index (MTI) — a machine learning-powered risk scoring system that transforms maritime compliance from complexity into clarity.MTI assigns vessels, voyages, and associated parties transparent scores from 0 (Hard Dark) to 5 (Transparent), distilling complex vessel histories, ownership structures, and behavioral anomalies into credit-style ratings that compliance teams…

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has emphasized key items on the IMO's upcoming agenda.In a video message, Secretary-General Dominguez said: “As we start 2026, I would like to focus on something simple: getting things done. At IMO, this is the year of implementation; moving from plans to concrete actions and measurable progress, reflected in our world maritime theme: “From Policy to Practice – Powering Maritime Excellence.”   “Seafarers. Nearly two million work at sea.

The International Flag-State Association (IFA), an association of the world’s three largest registries—Liberia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Panama—has been meeting since 2021. IFA is the first alliance of its kind and was designed to allow its members to have a platform to more formally engage with respect to global challenges, stakeholder insight, and the development and implementation of international instruments to enhance maritime safety, security…

Panama is participating this week in the 34th session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the most significant forum within the global maritime system and the specialized governing body of the United Nations, from November 24 to 28. This setting defines the policies, standards, and priorities that will shape the international maritime agenda in the years ahead.The Panamanian delegation is composed of Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the IMO…

On February 23, 2024, the FMC issued its Final Rule on Detention and Demurrage Billing Practices, as required by Congress under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022. The rule went into effect on May 28, 2024. After the Final Rule was issued, the World Shipping Council, a trade association for vessel-operating common carriers organized under an FMC-filed agreement, appealed the Rule to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, seeking to have it overturned.On September 23, 2025, the court issued its decision in that case, setting aside just one section of the Rule – 46 C.F.R.

The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) and Jeddah Municipality have signed an Integrated Coastal Collaboration Framework to strengthen regulatory integration, enhance marine oversight, and enable sustainable tourism activities along Jeddah’s coastline. The signing took place in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Fahad Al-Tunsi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Red Sea Authority.The framework was signed by His Excellency Eng. Saleh Al-Turki, Mayor of Jeddah, and Mr.

Denmark's Orsted and Vestas, two of the world's top offshore wind power groups, urged European nations on Wednesday to speed up permitting, improve auction terms and invest in power grids to deliver their potential for strong growth in the sector.The offshore wind industry, facing a near-frozen U.S. market amid President Donald Trump's opposition to renewables, is increasingly looking to Europe for opportunities.Vestas, the largest wind turbine maker outside China, said it expects global offshore wind capacity to grow 20-25% per year until 2030…

Fortescue’s Green Pioneer has arrived in Belém, Brazil, to send a message to COP30 participants that collaboration between industry and regulators is the key to unlocking zero-emission shipping.The 75-meter vessel has now visited three continents this year, following stops in London, Rotterdam, Monaco, Boston and New York.During its global voyage, the Green Pioneer has achieved several milestones, including becoming the first vessel to sail on ammonia in international waters.

The U.S. will not send any high-level officials to the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil, a White House official told Reuters, alleviating some concern among world leaders that Washington would send a team to scupper the talks.Brazil will host a high-level leaders' summit next week before the two-week UN climate negotiations begin in the Amazonian city of Belem.Earlier this month, the U.S. threatened to use visa restrictions and sanctions to retaliate against nations that would vote in favor of a plan put forward by the United Nations shipping agency…

The decision made during the MEPC meeting in October 2025 to delay the IMO’s Net Zero Framework, by one year, has caused waves across the shipping industry, generating opinions and comments from many industry stakeholders. As a consequence of this decision, it is ever more likely that it will give rise to more regional legislation and Emission Trading Schemes, which may come to the fore as a substitute for the delayed global IMO Net Zero Framework.With this in mind, the EU ETS…

A newly released study by Seafarers' Rights International (SRI) finds that cabotage laws now exist on 85% of the world’s coastlines, are growing in number at an unprecedented pace, and are increasingly essential to national security, economic stability and maritime resilience.The Cabotage Laws of the World (2025) report, commissioned by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), compares nations in their enforcement of cabotage laws, which restrict the waterborne transportation of goods or passengers between two points within the same country to domestic carriers.

BIMCO has initiated the development of a clause specifically addressing the new fees introduced on October 14, 2025 for US-related ships calling at ports in China.The Chinese Ministry of Transport announced on October 10 this year that new “Special Port Fees” would be imposed on ships arriving at Chinese ports if they are US-built or flagged or owned or operated by US entities, subject to certain exceptions. “Our industry is navigating escalating geopolitical uncertainty and trade restrictions.

Sea, the intelligent marketplace for fixing freight, and Pole Star Global, the maritime compliance authority behind PurpleTRAC, have together transformed how charterers, compliance teams, and legal administrators manage regulatory risk.Now fully integrated, Sea’s Recap Manager, a solution for recap and contract management, and PurpleTRAC’s sanctions screening and vessel monitoring solution are powering a smarter, faster, and more secure approach to fixing freight in the tanker market. With 100% screening certainty, every vessel that is entered in Recap Manager is automatically vetted.

Leading international maritime associations and organisations have reiterated their strong support for the adoption of the “Net-Zero Framework” at the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee next week (October 14-17) by the world’s governments at the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO). The global industry remains committed to working collaboratively with IMO Member States to successfully implement this regulatory package for achieving net zero GHG emissions by or close to 2050…

Terminal operators in a major oil port in east China's Shandong province are set to introduce measures to ban shadow fleet vessels and curb visits by other old tankers, according to an official notice seen by Reuters and a tanker tracker.The measures, to take effect from November 1, would ban vessels using fake International Maritime Organization numbers and ships of 31 years or older, which traders said would target what is known as the shadow fleet that transports oil under Western sanctions.Four terminal operators at Huangdao Port last week issued the notice…

The shipping industry is experiencing major volatility amid rising geopolitical tensions and disruptions caused by a wave of new tariffs, according to a report published on Wednesday by the U.N. Trade and Development agency.Due to an increasingly complex and uncertain global trade environment, subdued industrial activity in major economies and weak Chinese demand for bulk commodities, UNCTAD has revised down its maritime trade growth forecast for 2025.It now projects overall maritime trade volume to expand 0.5% annually…

A group of top shipping companies including leading Greek players said on Thursday they want changes to a United Nations deal tabled for adoption in October that seeks to cut marine fuel emissions, adding complications to the draft accord after U.S. opposition.Global shipping accounts for nearly 3% of the world's carbon emissions, and the proposed deal is crucial to speed up decarbonisation through a bigger regulatory framework.The group - including some of the world's biggest…

“Shipping and the IMO are on different trajectories. There is no clear pathway for green fuel availability and scalability and infrastructure support. LNG and biofuels are mission critical to any success and should not be overlooked, over penalized or discarded in the Net Zero regulation. Quite frankly, achieving net zero for shipping by 2050 looks like a wildcard," said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki at the launch of the 2025 ABS Sustainability Outlook, Beyond the Horizon: Vision Meets Reality.“The industry needs a framework but we need one that marries ambition with reality…

By 2030, the alternative-fueled fleet will be able to burn up to 50 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of low-greenhouse gas (GHG) fuels annually, double the estimated volume needed to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 emissions target. Yet today, actual consumption of low-GHG fuels remains at just 1 Mtoe. This widening gap between capacity and use highlights both the scale of industry commitment and the urgent need for fuel producers and infrastructure…