Regulations - News

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, the...

ABB has collected its ‘Generations’ articles for 2025 into a single publication to offer an overview of insights and perspectives on energy efficiency and digitalisation in a pivotal year for maritime decarbonisation.  Generations 2025 explores how market imperatives, research, technology developments, and regulatory decisions have shaped both opportunities and challenges for maritime stakeholders, as the global industry strives toward a green transition. Latest developments i...

ClassNK has issued approval in principle (AiP) for a concept design of the Multiple Alternative Fuels Ready (Ammonia/Methanol/LNG) and OCCS Ready Bulk Carrier developed by Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The certification confirms the feasibility of the vessel from regulatory and safety perspectives. ClassNK has published Annex 1 Alternative Fuel Ready (Edition 3.0.1) of the Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels, which summarises the requirements for adding class notations to ships (&ldquo...

The Commercial, Corporate and Finance Team at Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) recently assisted Yangzijiang Maritime Development (YMD) to secure its primary listing on the Main Board of the SGX-ST. The successful listing resulted in a market capitalisation for YMD of around S$2.15 billion. CJC’s London-based team was led by James Clayton, Partner and head of the Commercial and Finance practice, and Consultant Alastair Macaulay. Demonstration of CJC’s capabilities “This project...

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) advised shipping company - MPC Container Ships ASA (“MPCC”) on two significant transactions aimed at the long-term optimisation and modernisation of its fleet. MPCC contracted China’s Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering to build six 3,700 TEU container ships, with the first delivery scheduled for H2 2028. The newbuildings have been chartered on a long-term basis, with extension options, to a pioneering global liner shipping company....

Alfa Laval announces the launch of a new fuel supply solution FCM LNG for LNG-powered vessels. The system marks the expansion of Alfa Laval’s portfolio for alternative fuels, integrating cryogenic technology to deliver a holistic and highly reliable fuel supply solution for shipowners adopting LNG. Addressing the evolving market needs for LNG adoption As the maritime industry navigates its decarbonisation journey, LNG has solidified its role as a transitional fuel. It offers a viable pa...

Ricardo, a world-pioneering environmental, energy and engineering consultancy, now announces that it has been appointed to conduct a green shipping corridor feasibility study between Panama and Algeciras, Spain, aiming to decarbonise maritime trade and modernise global connectivity. Funded by European Union delegations in Panama and Costa Rica, the study will deliver an understanding of the technical, financial and policy conditions required to make the Panama–Algeciras corridor a practic...

The Nordic countries are taking an important step towards decarbonising maritime transport with the launch of Phase 2 of the “Nordic Roadmap for the introduction of sustainable zero-carbon fuels in shipping: Implementation and realisation 2025–2027.” Managed by DNV and supported by partners Everllence, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Icelandic New Energy, Sintef Ocean, and VTT, the programme aims to accelerate the transition to emission-free shipping across the r...

A new report, released now, has found that adopting methanol as the primary fuel for voyages between the Port of Tyne, Newcastle and Port of IJmuiden, Amsterdam could avoid up to £420 million in future regulatory costs and deliver an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Green shipping corridors are specific routes where vessels use low-emission propulsion. The study, led by Ricardo, an environmental, energy and engineering consultancy and world pioneers in maritime decarbonisa...

ABS Chairman and Chief Executive, Christopher J. Wiernicki was named International Personality of the Year at the Lloyds List Greek Shipping Awards, the second time he has received the honour. The accolade followed ABS being named Number One Classification Society by Gross Tonnage in the annual Lloyds List ranking of the Top 10 Class Organisations. ABS’ flagship global locations Wiernicki, who this week was also placed 72 in the Lloyds List ranking of the Top 100 People in Shipping, sai...

Ahti Pool, the pioneering FuelEU Maritime compliance pooling solution, now announces a strategic partnership with ScanOcean to deliver a dedicated FuelEU Maritime pooling service (“pool-in-pool”) to ScanOcean’s customers, enabling shipowners to use their own biofuel consumption to meet FuelEU compliance obligations while still accessing the wider Ahti Pool for additional flexibility. Designed for FuelEU Maritime, Ahti Pool manages fleets from pioneering owners and operators -...

The safety and efficiency of offshore oil & gas operations have always depended on the weather – but now operators are navigating far more volatile conditions, in deeper waters and harsher environments than ever before. In this new operating reality, data-driven weather intelligence is becoming a powerful enabler, helping companies stay ahead of fast-changing conditions and make confident decisions as operational windows tighten, says StormGeo. “Offshore operators are...

SMT Shipping, a pioneering global bulk cargo operator, has implemented Spinergie's Smart Fleet Management (SFM) system to reduce crew workload and improve onboard data accuracy. Approximately 30 SMT Shipping vessels use Spinergie reporting across the company’s global operations. The system frees crew members from repetitive, time-consuming reporting tasks while ensuring SMT Shipping remains fully compliant with evolving regulatory requirements. Digital reporting tools Spinergie has desi...

A single technical error by an uninsured subcontractor has resulted in a US$70,000 settlement and prompted the International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) to warn ship surveyors of the financial exposure they face when relying on third-party data without contractual protection. The dispute arose after a marine surveyor was appointed by a prospective buyer to confirm that a commercial fishing vessel met the requirements of the relevant maritime safety authority. As part of the survey, the...

ClassNK has issued a General Design Approval (GDA) for the Low-pressure LCO2 Cargo Tank developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. This approval verifies the tank’s compliance with relevant rules at the detailed design level. GDA for a liquefied CO₂ cargo tank made of KF460 steel and applying technology that omits PWHT marks the world’s first case. This GDA includes a tank safety assessment process based on a fracture mechanics technique called Engineering Critical Assessme...

Alfa Laval unveils the PureBallast 3 Ultra reactor for ballast water management for the first time at Marintec 2025 in China. The system is already in production, with initial deliveries well underway from the company’s factory in China and has gained strong interest from the market. This growing demand, together with the recent milestone of surpassing 10,000 PureBallast systems ordered globally, underscores Alfa Laval’s enduring commitment and leadership in ballast water management...

DNV has granted a Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) to CSSC Shanghai Marine Energy Saving Technology Co., Ltd. (CMES-Tech) for its new 5m × 35m Tilting Type Wind Assisted Rotor System. This is the first domestically developed rotor sail system in China to achieve this recognition under DNV’s WAPS rules (ST-0511). With this certification, the system is confirmed ready for installation on DNV-classed commercial vessels and marks a major milestone for China’s green-shipping...

ABS has granted approval in principle (AIP) to Seagate Space for their unmanned semi-submersible launch platform – the first offshore asset to receive AIP under the newly published ABS Requirements for Offshore Spaceports. “Safety and precision are critical to the success of offshore space launch operations. This AIP reflects both ABS’ and Seagate Space’s commitment to advancing innovative technologies that enable reliable and efficient launch operations in a fast-e...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for Spray form insulation system of IMO Type B tank for LNG and Ammonia Fuel developed by Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. and Hankuk Carbon Co., Ltd. The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives. As the maritime industry faces the pressing challenge of decarbonisation, the development of alternative-fuel vessels powered by LNG and ammonia is gaining momentum. Traditionally, IMO Type C tanks have been the mainst...

As the maritime industry prepares to enter 2026, technology group Wärtsilä has identified four important trends that will affect global shipping in 2026.  From the rise of digitalisation and big data to the growing importance of flexible decarbonisation strategies, these trends are set to redefine competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainability for vessel owners and operators worldwide: Lifecycle optimisation: With rapid technological advances and evolving regulation...

As the industry explores multiple decarbonisation pathways, methanol is gaining attention as a practical and scalable alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping. This is supported by over 450 methanol-capable vessels in operation and on order and technical solutions now available for all major ship types. Low-GHG methanol production DNV’s latest white paper, “Methanol fuel in shipping,” highlights that methanol-fuelled engines and technical systems have reached high readiness le...

Ricardo, a pioneer environmental, energy and engineering consultancy, announces that it is partnering with Port of Huelva to identify and promote green shipping corridors, becoming the first Spanish port to announce plans to explore green corridors as a mechanism for decarbonising maritime operations. To support the Port of Huelva, one of Spain’s busiest ports, Ricardo will identify at least 5 green shipping corridors into the port, identify improvements to port operations and infrastruct...

Kongsberg Discovery and MacArtney Underwater Technology have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) creating a new level of turnkey capability in towed underwater sensing solutions. The agreement will see all Kongsberg Discovery’s innovative systems integrated onto MacArtney’s remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV) platforms, bringing two technology pioneers together in one offer for defence, energy and ocean science users worldwide. Best of both worlds The agreement...

Cyan Sentinel has strengthened its long-term commitment to developing future maritime officers, with cadets praising the company’s support, culture and hands-on experience across its fleet. The company has now supported and sponsored 43 cadets through its cadetship programme, with seven completing their training this year. A further 10 new cadets – six deck and four engineering – joined the programme in August and September. Willingness of crews and officers Recent cadets hi...

ClassNK has conducted Technology Qualification (TQ) for Ship to Shore Couplers (hereinafter 'this product') for liquefied hydrogen (LH2) transport jointly developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and TB Global Technologies, Ltd. and the relevant certificate has been issued. TQ is for qualification of safety of a new technology, showing equivalent to the technology based on existing rules and regulations, and this is the first case in ClassNK for liquefied hydrogen marine equipment. New con...

Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) has announced that it has opened new offices in Genoa, following an agreement to engage an established team of maritime lawyers focusing on both English and Italian law. The international maritime law firm, which already has offices in London, Newcastle, Singapore and Miami, will be joined by a seven-strong team located in London and Genoa, led by Enrico Vergani. Vergani has also been appointed as a director of CJC. Vergani’s areas of specialisation Listed...

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised private equity firm Aquiline Capital Partners (Aquiline) on its majority investment in marine insurance MGA Clearwater Underwriting. Aquiline is a private investment firm that partners with businesses offering solutions to the financial services industry. The firm invests in growth-oriented financial services and technology companies through private equity, credit, and other strategic capital solutions. Clearwater Dynamics’ software platf...

OrbitMI, a renowned provider of maritime SaaS software, announced the launch of its Vessel Reporting Analysis, a structured assessment designed to help shipowners and operators understand how closely their vessel reports align with industry vessel reporting standards. The assessment identifies data gaps that affect compliance, operational efficiency, and the accuracy of performance and emissions reporting. As more maritime workflows depend on reliable data — across compliance, charte...

The latest industry-pioneering analysis from ABS, Retrofits for Energy and Emissions Improvements, provides critical insights into the impact of retrofitting, including classification and statutory requirements, as well as best practices for implementation. This report builds upon the conclusions presented in the ABS 2025 Outlook, Beyond the Horizon: Vision Meets Reality. With an array of retrofit options available, each offering potential improvements dependent on a range of factors,...

Wärtsilä Water & Waste, part of technology group - Wärtsilä, continues to deliver exceptional wastewater treatment performance in one of the world’s most closely monitored marine environments through its Hamworthy membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems, according to independent regulatory data from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). During the 2024 Alaska cruise season, fourteen vessels equipped with Wartsila's Hamworthy MBR systems achieved a 98...