🟢 = 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