| Regulation | Jan 2025 | Feb 2025 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2025 | May 2025 | Jun 2025 | Jul 2025 | Aug 2025 | Sep 2025 | Oct 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMDG Code Amendments | 🟢 | ||||||||||||
| IMSBC Code Amendments | 🟢 | ||||||||||||
| STCW Electronic Certificates | 🟢 | ||||||||||||
| MARPOL Annex I & V (Red Sea & Gulf of Aden) | 🟢 | ||||||||||||
| Ballast Water Record Book (BWM Convention) | 🟢 | ||||||||||||
| Mediterranean SOx Emission Control Area | 🟢 | ||||||||||||
| Hong Kong Ship Recycling Convention | 🟢 | ||||||||||||
| MARPOL Annex VI – Low-Flashpoint Fuels & Reporting | 🟢 | ||||||||||||
| Electronic Ballast Water Record Books | 🟢 | ||||||||||||
| More 2026 Regulations | 🔵 |
🟢 = Regulation comes into force
🔵 = Future regulations for 2026 and beyond
1. International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code Amendments (42-24)
- Effective Date: January 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- Enhanced classification and handling protocols for lithium batteries, including new entries for lithium-powered vehicles.
- Stricter regulations for the transport of charcoal and carbon products to mitigate fire risks.
- Introduction of guidelines for sodium-ion batteries, aligning them with existing safety standards.
- Reference: Marine Mirror
2. International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code Amendments (07-23)
- Effective Date: January 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- Mandatory declaration of bulk density by shippers, as per SOLAS regulation XII/10.
- Addition of new cargo entries, including baryte and brown fused alumina, each with specific handling requirements.
- Reclassification of certain cargoes, such as stabilized fish meal, to non-dangerous goods, simplifying certification processes.
- Reference: Maritime Cyprus
3. Amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention
- Effective Date: January 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- Authorization for the issuance of electronic seafarer certificates, specifying minimum information requirements.
- Guidelines provided for the use and acceptance of electronic certificates to support global digitalization efforts.
- Reference: Maritime Cyprus
4. MARPOL Annex I and V Amendments – Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Special Areas
- Effective Date: January 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- Designation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as Special Areas under MARPOL Annexes I and V, enforcing stricter discharge controls for oil, oily mixtures, and garbage.
- Ships must comply with enhanced discharge regulations, including the prohibition of certain discharges unless specific conditions are met.
- Reference: Maritime Cyprus
5. Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention – Revised Ballast Water Record Book
- Effective Date: February 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- Implementation of a revised format for the Ballast Water Record Book to enhance clarity and address common deficiencies.
- Ships are required to adopt the new record-keeping format to improve compliance during inspections.
- Reference: Maritime Cyprus
6. Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area (ECA) for Sulphur Oxides (SOx)
- Effective Date: May 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- Enforcement of a 0.10% m/m sulphur content limit for fuel oil used by ships operating within the Mediterranean Sea ECA.
- Alternatively, ships may use approved exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) to meet the emission requirements.
- Reference: Gard’s Insights
7. Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships
- Effective Date: June 26, 2025
- Key Changes:
- Requirement for ships over 500 GT engaged in international voyages to maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM).
- Ships must be recycled at authorized facilities that comply with the convention’s safety and environmental standards.
- Reference: Gard’s Insights
8. MARPOL Annex VI Amendments – Low-Flashpoint Fuels and Data Reporting
- Effective Date: August 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- Clarification of regulations concerning gas and low-flashpoint fuels, including updated definitions and bunker delivery note requirements.
- Reclassification of replacing steam systems with marine diesel engines as major conversions, necessitating compliance with emission standards.
- Enhanced fuel consumption data reporting requirements, including total onshore power supplied and transport work metrics.
- Reference: Maritime Cyprus
9. Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention – Electronic Record Books
- Effective Date: October 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- Authorization for the use of electronic Ballast Water Record Books, aligning with practices under MARPOL Annexes and the NOx Technical Code.
- Guidelines provided for the implementation and use of electronic record-keeping systems.
- Reference: [Maritime Cyprus](https://maritimecyprus.com/2024/11
