Maritime Regulation News

Vessel electrification is no longer a future concept for offshore wind and policy and regulatory alignment is now the main barrier to uptake, a cross-industry panel hosted by Bibby Marine told an audience during Global Offshore Wind on Wednesday.Speakers from RenewableUK, Corvus Energy, Stillstrom, Tidal Transit and Kongsberg Maritime said rapid progress in vessel and charging technology means electrified vessels now represent an increasingly credible commercial proposition. They…

In an open letter to the industry, ABS has set out a measured and data-driven approach to support the development of an effective global framework for maritime decarbonization.Titled, The ABS View: A Practical Path Forward on IMO Mid-Term Measures, it reflects broad alignment across the industry on the need for one international approach to emissions reduction, while recognizing that implementation will be shaped by real-world constraints across the global fleet.The thinking is based on the findings of a detailed ABS assessment of the key drivers influencing the industry’s transition.

Shore power is shifting from a local environmental measure to a key operational and regulatory consideration for shipowners, according to DNV’s latest white paper “Shore Power in Shipping: Technology, regulation and implementation.” As regulatory pressure builds in Europe, California and parts of Asia, access to shore power is shaping compliance and operating costs during port stays.Historically a voluntary option for saving energy and reducing emissions in ports, shore power is becoming part of baseline compliance considerations for many shipowners.

France has drafted a U.N. Security Council resolution on setting up an international mission to restore movement in the Strait of Hormuz and could submit it if conditions are right, the foreign ministry said on Friday, as Washington struggles to bring to a vote a text Russia and China may say is biased against Tehran.Control of the narrow waterway, a vital artery for global energy trade whose virtual closure has led to spiralling oil prices, is a major obstacle in talks to end…

Korean Register (KR) announced that it is serving as the Coordinator of two International Maritime Organization (IMO) expert groups in key marine environmental areas: ammonia effluent management and response procedures for nitrogen oxides (NOx) reduction strategy failures.As international pressure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships intensifies, ammonia-fueled vessels are gaining traction as a zero-carbon alternative to conventional marine fuels. However, ammonia's high toxicity means that ammonia effluent can be generated during vessel operation…

This week, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) was recognized by the International Propeller Club and received the Frank Courtenay “Salute to Congress” Award for championing legislation to support the American maritime industry. The Salute to Congress Award recognizes members of the U.S. Congress for their leadership and support of the American maritime industry.“I am honored to receive this recognition from the International Propeller Club, an organization that understands the importance of investing in our maritime industry,” said Rep. Carbajal.

Tourism in the Antarctic Peninsula is a niche but booming industry powered by deep-pocketed adventure-seekers travelling thousands of miles to marvel at penguin colonies and take "polar plunges" in sight of icebergs.But growing numbers of visitors bring risks including disease, invasive species and pollution to the delicate ecosystems of Antarctica and the remote sub-Antarctic islands that teem with bird life, sea lions and whales.The outbreak of a deadly strain of the hantavirus…

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Laura DiBella’s participation as part of the U.S. Delegation to the 84th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) helped reinforce constructive U.S. engagement to resolve the impasse over the IMO’s proposed Net Zero Framework (NZF). Chairman DiBella ensured full FMC attention on the serious economic harm that would be caused by the NZF, and fostered discussion of alternative options to resolve the current impasse. During the week, the U.S.

Argentina accedes to the Cape Town Agreement, triggering its entry into force in 12 months.The 2012 Cape Town Agreement has met the requirements for entry into force and will enter into force in February 2027, closing a longstanding gap in the global maritime safety framework. The Agreement sets out mandatory safety standards for more than 45,000 fishing vessels of 24 meters in length and over, according to FAO data, helping to prevent casualties, improve working conditions for fishers, enhance competitiveness and protect the marine environment.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced proposed revisions to its regulations governing hard mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf aiming to advance exploration and development of critical minerals essential to national security, economic competitiveness and technological progress.These proposed updates align with Executive Orders 14285 and 14154, which prioritize unleashing America’s potential to explore and develop OCS critical mineral resources. The updates also support Executive Order 14192…

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…