Regulations - News

The Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS) has inaugurated an extension centre at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), as part of GRSE’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The centre was inaugurated at the GRSE Taratala unit by Cmde PR Hari IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, in the presence of Mr Saikat Roychowdhury, Head – Operations, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), and Cdr Gopi Krishna Sivvam IN (Retd...

ABS Wavesight™, the ABS-affiliated maritime Software-as-a-Service company, announces the appointment of Captain Stephen (Steve) Bomgardner as Chief Customer Officer (CCO). Captain Bomgardner brings more than 23 years of maritime leadership experience encompassing operations, regulatory compliance and environmental innovation. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Shipping & Offshore Solutions at Pole Star Global, where he directed strategic growth initiatives and oversaw...

Lloyd’s Register OneOcean (LR OneOcean) has launched OneOcean 2025, marking the most substantial enhancement to its digital maritime platform in recent years. Designed to address the evolving challenges of voyage planning, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency, this latest release introduces a host of new features aimed at improving safety, reducing human error, and streamlining fleet-wide operations. Risk of grounding incidents Users accept real-time alerts for UKC pol...

At LR OneOcean, they continue to evolve the digital solutions to help maritime organisations manage their operations more effectively. The latest step on this journey is the new integration between Cloud Fleet Manager (CFM) and ISF Watchkeeper (ISF WK), which enables more connected crew compliance and management across fleets. The integration allows relevant crew and contract data and work and rest hour records to synchronise between CFM Crewing and ISF WK. This helps ship operators reduce manu...

ABS issued a New Technology Qualification (NTQ) certificate to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for their next-generation electric propulsion solution: the Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) power system for ships. The Breakerless-MVDC Power System builds on HD Hyundai’s modular propulsion drive system and is the first in the world to receive an ABS NTQ certificate, indicating the technology’s feasibility and matur...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), a premier ship classification society, congratulates the Indian Coast Guard and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on the successful launch of two new vessels — Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) ICGS Samudra Prachet and Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ICGS Atal. These vessels mark a significant step towards strengthening India’s maritime security, environmental protection, and indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. Stringent standards of safety IRS has worked...

The EU's latest crackdowns on the Kremlin's energy industry will have a limited immediate impact on Chinese buying of Russian crude cargoes, trading, refining and shipping sources told Platts July 21. China is the top destination for Russia's crude supplies, via sea and pipeline. In the first half of the year, combined seaborne and pipeline imports dropped 10.9% year over year to 49.11 million mt (1.99 million b/d), with the market share declining to 17.6% from 20% seen over January-June 2024,...

India has unveiled a new set of policies for its oil and gas sector, under which it aims to offer a cushion to upstream investors from fiscal policy changes as well as make its revenue-sharing model more attractive to attract investors into the segment. The petroleum ministry recently invited feedback on the proposed Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules for 2025, after which New Delhi can move forward to implement those rules as official policy, either with or without amendments. The latest proposed...

The Platts global bunker fuel cost calculator shows how Platts price assessments for methanol, ammonia, LNG, bioblends and conventional oil-based fuels can be used to calculate the cost of marine fuels around the world, taking into account the EU Emissions Trading System and adjusted for energy density to put them on an equal footing. Methanol blend Shipping firms are struggling to acquire sustainable methanol due to its scarcity, and some industry participants suggest blending the green fuel...

Do not expect the EU-US tariff agreement or US-China negotiations in Stockholm this week over a new trade deal to breathe life into ocean container shipping demand or halt the dramatic decline in freight rates in 2025, analysts warn. Latest data from Xeneta – the ocean and air freight intelligence platform – shows average spot rates from China to the US West Coast are down 59% since 1 June at USD 2,268 per FEU (40ft container). Rates have also plummeted on the US East Coast, down 4...

The potential changes brought by Bill 2159/2021 regarding environmental licencing rules reignite the debate on the challenges faced by the maritime industry in light of the advancement of large infrastructure projects. This topic will be discussed in the panel "Impasses and Solutions in Environmental Licencing for Infrastructure Projects – How Major Projects Impact the Maritime Industry," which is part of the program for the Navalshore 2025 Conference - Maritime Industry Fair and Conferen...

The London P&I Club has renewed calls on ship owners, operators and charterers to address potential risks when loading Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) containing dry chemicals. The warning follows a number of incidents reported across the industry, including hold fires and cargo damage in bulk carriers and general cargo ships. The issue is particularly common with vessels loading in Chinese ports. Incorrect hold and handling of FIBCs The Club warns that failure to strictly c...

Ship fires are on the rise, posing serious risks to crews, vessels, and operations. Ensuring the firefighting equipment meets the latest safety standards is not just essential — it’s lifesaving. The latest update to the Marine Equipment Directive (MED), (EU) 2024/1975, mandates significant changes to the approval and use of firefighting suits onboard European vessels. Here's what they need to know to stay compliant and protect the crew. Key regulation updates From August 20...

ClassNK has released 'ClassNK Technical Journal No.11 2025 (Ⅰ)'. This issue features the title 'Latest Technological Trends for Protection of the Marine Environment', providing the particularly well-received presentations on 'Underwater Noise from Ships' and 'Safe Decarbonisation’ from 'ClassNK R&D Forum 2025', which was attended by more than 200 participants. 'ClassNK Technical Journal', has been published to contribute to the advancement of technology and society through the outcome...

Watson Farley & Williams advised ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch—acting as arranger, lender and facility and security agent — on a term loan facility provided to Tank Container Investment Fund Pte. Ltd. (“TCIF”), a subsidiary of a sub-fund managed by FPG AIM Capital Pte. Ltd. (“FAC”), for the acquisition of stainless-steel tank containers. The facility — FAC’s first fund financing — includes an accordion option for potential upsizing and...

ABS Wavesight, the ABS-affiliated software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, has been chosen by Navios Maritime Partners L.P. to provide a single integrated platform to support compliance with the FuelEU Maritime Regulation and EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) requirements. As of January 1, 2025, companies with ships calling on EU ports must collect and report key fuel-related data in preparation for EU submission deadlines. The ABS Wavesight platform offers a seamless experience that automate...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised shipping company - MPC Container Ships ASA (MPCC) on two transactions, as part of the implementation of its fleet strategy. The first transaction was the order of four new 4,500 TEU container vessels from Chinese shipyard Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering for a total investment of US$228 million. The ships are scheduled for completion and delivery to MPCC in the second half of 2027. Decarbonisation of maritime transport MPC has already signed three-year...

OrbitMI is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire Quebec-based AuQub, an artificial intelligence (AI) firm whose suite of AI-driven agents optimises workflows and automates repetitive tasks, helping businesses enhance productivity through more efficient decision-making. By incorporating AuQub’s innovative and accessible SaaS solutions into its platform, OrbitMI continues to advance the adoption of intelligent, connected workflows to help its maritime customers operate profitab...

Marine Masters has successfully completed its offshore scope for the decommissioning of the South Angsi Alpha (SAA) platform, operated by Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia Limited. The campaign marks a major milestone in the repurposing of retired offshore infrastructure, with the platform’s substructure now resting on the seabed as part of Malaysia’s largest rig-to-reef project. Safe removal and partial reefing Topside and substructure were designed for safe removal and reefing in...

KR (Korean Register) is pleased to announce that Lee Jungkun, General Manager of KR’s Convention & Legislation Service Team, has been elected as the next Chair of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Safety Panel, with a three-year term running from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028.  The appointment was confirmed at the 91st IACS Council Meeting held in Beijing, China.  IACS’s seven technical panels The Safety Panel is one of IAC...

The 10th annual Maritime Standard Tanker Conference 2025 will be held on Thursday, 30th October at the iconic Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Aimed at key decision makers and opinion formers within the tanker shipping business, the event takes place at an uncertain time for the industry, given economic volatility and a host of geopolitical issues. Tough environmental regulations There is also growing pressure to comply with tough environmental regulations There is also growing pressure to comply...

ClassNK launches a new service, ‘ClassNK Fleet Cost Simulation’, as part of its ‘ClassNK Transition Support Services’, which aims to facilitate the maritime industry’s transition to decarbonised fuels. This new service estimates the cost impact of GHG emission reduction regulations, including IMO's mid-term measures, EU-ETS, and FuelEU Maritime on behalf of clients. This service provides the ‘ClassNK Fleet Cost Calculator’, a calculation tool that simu...

ABS and the Floating Offshore Wind Power Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) of Japan signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate and explore new technologies to support the floating offshore wind industry. “For over 160 years, ABS has been leading the charge for safety excellence in the marine and offshore industries. Joining FLOWRA represents a great opportunity for us to work closely with industry leaders who are shaping what safety means for floating offshore wind develop...

ClassNK has released ‘FAQs on the FuelEU Maritime (4th Edition)’. It can serve as a helpful guide for stakeholders in the shipping sector when considering measures to comply with environmental regulations. FuelEU Maritime, an EU regulation aimed at promoting the decarbonisation of fuels used on board ships, has entered into force and applies to all ships above 5,000 gross tonnage calling at EU ports from January 1, 2025. Latest clarifications from EMSA’s webinar In this &lsq...

Dry bulk carriers entered with INTERCARGO continue to demonstrate stronger performance than the global fleet average on safety and compliance, according to the Association’s latest Benchmarking Report. The report highlights meaningful differences across the sector, with significant variations in inspection outcomes, operational risk and regulatory performance. Incidence of regulatory deficiencies INTERCARGO-member ships consistently show a lower incidence of regulatory deficiencies and...

AdvanTec Marine is pleased to announce a major milestone: both its Canadian manufacturing facility in British Columbia and its Oregon, USA facility are now certified to produce fire-rated marine doors. With the Canadian site receiving MED Wheel Mark certification — making it the only such facility in Canada — AdvanTec now proudly holds fire-rated door certifications on both sides of the border.  Commitment to safety and innovation New chapter as AdvanTec strengthens its posit...

A strategic collaboration between Icon Gulf Trading DMCC (part of the Dynamic Group) and GeoServe Energy Transport DMCC has enabled the successful shipment of bauxite from Guinea over the past 12 months. During this period, 12 cargo shipments, moving approximately two million tons of bauxite, have been completed.  Icon Gulf Trading appointed GeoServe to manage end-to-end shipping operations, through its Commercial Voyage Management as a Service (CVMaaS) covering areas, such as chartering,...

VIKING’s experience indicates that ship safety solutions are optimised when they are scoped, designed, and incorporated into the vessel design from the outset of a newbuilding project. Any benefits of short-term savings at this stage can quickly evaporate as operational realities take over. As a result, VIKING recommends a collaborative approach to safety at the first stages of ship design. Touching on every aspect of the storage, deployment, and servicing of equipment, VIKING also w...

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to Hanwha Ocean for its new design of a semisubmersible-type floating offshore wind turbine. The design, named WindHive 15-H3, supports 15-megawatt (MW) turbines on three hexagonal columns. ABS completed design reviews based on class and industry requirements. “Floating offshore wind power is set to play a critical role in the world’s future energy landscape, and we are proud to collaborate with industry leaders like Hanwha Ocean on innovative...

ABS has developed advanced simulation modelling of thermal runaway in lithium-ion battery fires, in a critical step forward in tackling one of maritime’s biggest emergent safety risks. The cutting-edge model, which has now been validated with Texas A&M University research, replicates the thermal runaway profile at the battery cell level, unlocking detailed insight into the total heat released and guiding the appropriate firefighting response. It is the latest development in ABS&r...