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Articles by Maritime regulations
Sector welcomes EU support, but it may be too little, too late
From the magazine – Judging by the photograph circulated by Damen Shipyards Group of the Waterborne Leadership Event held in Brussels on 29 September, representatives of the European shipbuilding industry are pleased with the European Commission’s political support for the maritime sector. Nineteen executives from leading European maritime companies signed the roadmaps at the event. These roadmaps stem from the European Industrial Maritime Strategy adopted earlier this year.
Regulating data in the maritime sector
From the magazine – The European Union (EU) Data Act has entered into force on 12 September 2025, and aims to create fair access to data [1]. The Act determines who controls data generated by connected products or services, with the aim to enhance technological innovation and contribute to a competitive European data market.
IMO and shipping in the crossfire of global politics
From the magazine – Until recently, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was primarily an extension of the United Nations that developed global regulations for international shipping. But since the last meeting (14-17 October) of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the IMO seems to have become a pawn in the geopolitical power struggle that has erupted between the US, the EU and China, particularly since the inauguration of US President Trump.
Waterway authorities want EU Water Resilience Strategy
Waterway authorities call for a EU Water Resilience Strategy that supports co-benefit solutions for navigation, water supply, flood mitigation, biodiversity restoration and recreation in a changing climate. This was announced by Inland Navigation Europe (INE). The authorities manage and operate navigable rivers, canals and lakes in Europe, which host communities, economic activities and nature.
Report flags growing Chinese threat to dredging sector
The Dutch and Belgian dredging industry is of strategic importance to the economy, water safety, and energy transition in both countries. While the sector is globally renowned for its expertise in maritime civil engineering, it is now under significant pressure due to growing competition, particularly from China.
EU MRV and ETS pose challenges for EU dredging fleet
From the magazine – How should a dredging contractor comply with the European Union Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (EU MRV) and Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) when they don’t transport cargo like other ships? Calculating their fuel efficiency is challenging, yet dredging vessels emit significant CO2 due to the heavy pumps, engines, and generators on board – especially cutter suction dredgers, which require high power for drilling rocky seabeds.
'Fees on China-built ships can congest supply chains'
Xeneta analysts warn proposed fees by the Trump administration on China-built container ships importing goods into the US may have unintended consequences. This could include port congestion, increasing freight rates and shifts in global trade patterns. The Trump Administration has announced plans for a USD 1 million fee every time a vessel operated by a China carrier enters a US port.
‘Polluting ships continue to threaten EU seas’
A report published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) on 4 March sounds the alarm: ships and vessels continue to pollute EU maritime waters. Even though EU legislation is improving and is sometimes even tougher than international rules, implementation by the 22 coastal EU member states is far from satisfactory. Actions to prevent, tackle, track and penalise various types of ship-source pollution are not up to the task, the auditors warn.
Shipping organisations concerned about seafarer safety
The chairpersons of the world’s biggest shipping industry organisations gathered on 6 February in Athens. By far the most important topic on the agenda was how the industry, and the international community, can help limit and put an end to a rise in unjust treatment and criminalisation of its seafarers.
‘Trump’s America First trade policy is hurting US shippers’
Donald Trump has not immediately followed through with his election vow of sweeping import tariffs, but uncertainty in his trade policy leaves US shippers braced for supply chain chaos. Xeneta analysts warn the uncertainty makes it impossible to manage supply chain risk. Shortly following his inauguration on Monday, Trump stated he is ‘thinking about’ introducing his proposed 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada on 1 February.
47 governments propose GHG emissions pricing to IMO
In a joint submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), 47 governments from all over the world, with shipping industry support, ask for a maritime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pricing mechanism for international shipping to be adopted. The joint submission targets the final round of negotiations at the United Nations’ IMO and has the aim to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping by 2050.
Guideline launched for heavy-lift stability
After years of collaboration, the Heavy Lift Exchange Forum, a working group initiated by DNV, has issued the “Guidance on Stability of Lifts”. This guideline for stable and safe heavy-lift operations has been developed with expertise from BBC Chartering, BigLift Shipping, DNV, Heerema Marine Contractors, Jumbo Maritime, SAL Engineering and United Heavy Lift. What is best practice when it comes to cranes lifting loads onto, off and between ships in port or at sea?
‘Over 30% of installed BWTSs fail PSC inspections’
Over thirty per cent of all installed ballast water treatment systems (BWTSs) fail Port State Control (PSC) D-2 compliance inspections, despite 95 per cent of systems having successfully passed commissioning tests. This follows from data analysed by Global TestNet. Article supplied by BIO-UV Group.
Regulations drive business case for wind propulsion
Wind propulsion offers a viable option for decarbonisation in shipping, but further work is needed to adapt charter party agreements to its use, says NorthStandard. This article has been supplied by NorthStandard. FuelEU Maritime comes into force in January 2025 and wind propulsion is currently the only technology with a reward factor under the regulation. Vessels will be credited using such technologies by reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of energy used on board.
Spliethoff vessel banned from Australian ports
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a “refusal of access Direction” to the Netherlands-flagged general cargo ship Marsgracht. It bans the ship from entering Australian ports for 180 days. On 6 February 2024, Spliethoff‘s Marsgracht was detained at Port Alma for improper stowage of dangerous goods – contrary to the International Maritime Organization’s International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
Push for EU investment in clean maritime fuels
The Clean Maritime Fuels Platform calls on EU policymakers to create the regulatory conditions to unlock investments in the production of clean maritime fuels in the EU. The Draghi Report estimates that EUR 40 billion in annual investments will be needed between 2031 and 2050 for the energy transition of shipping. Building a supply chain for clean fuels in Europe is a priority for the industry to meet its decarbonisation targets and for Europe to achieve its climate targets.
New alliance seeks to align ship recycling conventions
BIMCO has launched a Ship Recycling Alliance to help accelerate safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. The alliance will help facilitate the global implementation of the Hong Kong Convention (HKC), but also seeks legal clarity on the interaction between the Basel Convention and the HKC. In June 2025, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) will enter into force.
Validation for Shipping Technology's emission reporting |SWZ
Certification institute LRQA (formerly part of Lloyd’s Register) has approved Shipping Technology’s CO2 Emission Reporting Module that calculates the CO2 emissions of inland navigation vessels and coasters. It means the automatic emission reporting of the ‘Shipping Technology Brain’ meets ISO standards.
Paris MoU fire door inspections: 13.9% non-compliant
Following a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on fire safety, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) launched an unannounced Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) on fire doors. The findings of this FIC raise concerns for the Paris MoU, as 13.9% of non-compliance was recorded.
Van Weelde Shipping Group plans to join Ahti Pool
The Van Weelde Shipping Group, owners of the dry cargo fleet managed by Orient Shipping Rotterdam (OSR), has signed a letter of intent (LoI) to join Ahti Pool. The latter is a new FuelEU Maritime (FEM) compliance solution. Ahti Pool provides an easy and cost-effective way to comply with the FuelEU Maritime regulation. It is the world’s first FuelEU Maritime compliance pool.
‘EU rules to boost economic value of methanol in shipping’
A new White Paper prepared for the Methanol Institute concludes that the FuelEU Maritime Regulation and EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) will create a level playing field for bio- and e-methanol, making them economically competitive compared to fossil marine fuels. Under the EU’s Fit for 55 regulatory package, vessel operators are incentivised to transition to the sustainable fuels through significant penalties levied on continued fossil fuel use.
Classification societies form yacht safety consortium
Classification societies Lloyd’s Register (LR), RINA, DNV, Bureau Veritas (BV) and ABS have established the Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium (YSEC) at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024. Aim is to improve the safety and environmental performance of yachts, promoting and advising on achieving the best practices in the industry.
SEA Europe backs EC’s maritime industry strategy
SEA Europe is happy with the European Commission’s plans for ‘a new industrial maritime strategy to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of Europe’s maritime manufacturing sector.’ This industry is a cornerstone of Europe’s strategic autonomy and economic resilience, states SEA Europe. SEA Europe represents the European maritime technology industry, including shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers.
SEA Europe urges more support for sustainable inland fleet
Sustainable, digital, and high-tech solutions for the inland waterway fleet need to be prioritised in the European Commission’s revised state aid rules. SEA Europe writes this in its formal contribution to the EC’s public consultation on the draft rules. Currently, the EC is holding a public consultation on the draft revised state aid rules for land and multimodal transport, with a focus on inland waterways.
Shipowners and fuel producers launch clean fuels platform
Access to clean maritime fuels is a top priority for the decarbonisation of the shipping sector. The new Clean Maritime Fuels Platform is a bottom-up industry initiative aiming to enhance communication between the shipping sector and fuel producers. The recently published Draghi report on the Future of European Competitiveness identifies shipping as one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise, requiring around EUR 40 billion in annual investments between 2031 and 2050.
Methanol Institute granted consultative status at IMO
The Methanol Institute (MI) has been granted consultative status by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Consultative status is reserved for non-governmental, international organisations that have the capability to make a substantial contribution to the work of IMO. MI will now be able to attend meetings as an observer and offer expert input on discussions in plenary and working groups.
Tokyo and Paris MoU plan CIC on crew wages and employment
The member authorities of the Tokyo and the Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control will launch a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on crew wages and seafarer employment agreements (MLC, 2006). The purpose of the Tokyo or Paris MoU campaign is to create awareness within the shipping industry about the requirements on crew wages and seafarer employment agreements (Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006), and to verify that ships comply with these requirements.
Speed limit urged in Mediterranean to protect whales
According to OceanCare, the probability of a collision having a lethal effect on a whale is very low when the ship’s speed does not exceed 10 knots. Yet, eigthy per cent of the ships that sailed in the north-western part of the Mediterranean Sea went faster in 2023. OceanCare now asks the Spanish government to impose a mandatory speed limit.
‘Tanker sanctions have had no effect on Russian oil exports’
Backlisting vessels by the OFAC and the European Union for breaching the Russian oil price cap has been successful in removing them from the fleet of ships exporting Russian crude oil, but it has had no impact on overall Russian crude oil exports, with more new ships filling the gap. So says Kpler, a specialist in data and analytics for global trade. Article supplied by Kpler.
FuelEU penalties will hit these ship segments hardest
The financial impact of FuelEU Maritime is focusing the minds of shipping companies as they face potential penalties for non-compliance with greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity reduction targets. OceanScore has identified those segments set to be hit hardest.
Dutch govt to protect its defence industry with new law
The Dutch Ministry of Defence wants to strengthen, protect the Dutch defence industry as well as put it on the international map. Defence is therefore working with the Ministry of Economic Affairs on a law to make this possible. The new law is open for consultation from 1 July to 1 September, a so-called internet consultation. It consists of three parts: a sectoral investment test, a suitability declaration and a market regulation.
ILT warns of EUR 30,000 fines for degassing while sailing
Inland tankers are not allowed to degas certain substances in the open air. Since Monday 1 July 2024, many substance groups have been added. Those violating the ban on degassing while sailing can expect action, warns the Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport, ILT). ILT is tasked with enforcing the ban and, as an administrative body, will take action against shippers.
Dutch Ministry wants clearer regulations for water taxis
It must become clearer what regulations water taxis have to comply with. To achieve this goal, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is adapting the Inland Shipping Regulations. This is one of the ways in which the Ministry is following up on the recommendations of the Dutch Safety Board.
Paris MoU: Fire doors and fire drills require attention
At its latest Committtee meeting, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) discussed the results of the Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Fire Safety, held from 1 September to 30 November 2023. Compliance appeared satisfactory except for two specific topics; maintenance of fire doors (9.3% non-compliance) and performing fire drills (9.2% non-compliance). The Paris MoU held its 57th Committee meeting in Madrid, Spain from 6 to 10 May 2024.
FuelEU Maritime: How to prepare for compliance
FuelEU Maritime sets requirements on the well-to-wake greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of energy used for ships trading in the EU/EEA from 1 January 2025. The first step is to prepare and submit a monitoring plan to an accredited verifier by 31 August 2024. DNV gives more details on what you need to prepare. Article by DNV. From 1 January 2025, for ships trading in or to/from the EU/EEA irrespective of flag, the annual average GHG intensity of energy used on board needs to be below a defined level.
Seatrade settles in shipbreaking case
In total, Seatrade will pay the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office EUR 5,650,000 in out-of-court settlement for transferring four ships to India, Bangladesh and Turkey, respectively, for shipbreaking. The company did not comply with the EU Regulation on waste shipments. The Seatrade group and two directors will pay the Public Prosecutor’s Office a total of EUR 2,650,000. In addition, the prosecution also reached a settlement of EUR 3,000,000 with the shipowner.
Ahti Climate: Pooling creates huge FuelEU Maritime benefits
New research from Ahti Climate has revealed the scale of FuelEU Maritime optimisation available through pooling and the use of appropriate low-carbon fuels. The organisation has calculated that the use of one e-methanol vessel on voyages within the European Union’s waters could make seventy vessels using HFO compliant. By comparison, under the FuelEU Maritime regulations, an LNG vessel with a low-speed engine could only be used to make five HFO-fuelled ships compliant.
EU shipowners welcome production benchmark for clean fuels
European shipowners strongly welcome the inclusion of clean fuels for shipping, including advanced biofuels and e-fuels, in the list of net-zero technologies adopted under the Net-Zero Industry Act on 25 April. The new law introduces a benchmark for the Commission and the EU member states to match forty per cent of the deployment needs for clean fuels for shipping with production capacity.
More oversight leads to safer historic sailing fleet
Supervision of the safety of the historic Dutch sailing fleet has improved significantly. This is evident from the follow-up of the recommendations from the Dutch Safety Board’s report “Safety of the historic sailing fleet”. The Safety Board reviewed what all parties have done so far with the recommendations from the September 2023 report.
'IMO has to solve disparities in ship recycling conventions'
BIMCO, together with Bangladesh, India, Norway, Pakistan and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), wants IMO to solve possible conflicting requirements of the Hong Kong Convention and the Basel Convention. If left unresolved, this could have severe consequences for shipowners, ship recycling facilities and ships. To this end, BIMCO has submitted a paper ahead the 81st Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting on 18-22 March 2024.
EU wants to give shipping priority access to new fuels
The European Commission has published a proposal on 6 February in which it advocates ‘priority access’ for shipping to low and zero-emissions fuels including e-fuels and advanced biofuels. European shipowners united in ECSA welcome the commitment. The plans are part of the proposal for a 2040 climate target laying out the pathway to make the EU climate neutral by 2050.
ICS submits Zero Emission Shipping Fund to IMO
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has submitted a proposal to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for a Zero Emission Shipping Fund (ZESF). Under the proposal, contributions from ships per tonne of CO2e emitted will be used to reduce the cost gap between zero GHG fuels and conventional fuel oil, providing financial rewards (“feebates”) to ships for the GHG emissions prevented by use of these new marine fuels.
Nieuwe Maas shipping needs more direction |SWZ|Maritime
The heavy traffic on the Nieuwe Maas in the centre of Rotterdam calls for more direction and professionalisation. This is the conclusion of the Dutch Safety Board after investigating an incident on 21 July 2022 in which a tour boat and a water taxi collided near the Erasmus Bridge. Sea-going vessels, barges, passenger ships, pleasure boats and water taxis criss-cross each other.
Pakistan becomes party to Hong Kong Convention
Pakistan has acceded to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC). As a result, all major ship recycling states have now become a party to the IMO’s HKC. The country deposited the instrument of accession with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim at IMO Headquarters in London on 30 November.
Additional survey for historic sailing passenger ships
All sailing passenger ships in the Dutch historic sailing fleet will undergo additional survey before 1 April 2024. It is one of the measures to ensure that the fleet will be demonstrably safer before the start of the next sailing season. Minister Harbers of Infrastructure and Water Management informed Parliament of this. The measures follow the report released by the Dutch Safety Board (DSB) in September, following two fatal accidents involving historic sailing vessels.
Shipping CEOs want end date for fossil fuel-only vessels
In an unprecedented collaboration, the chief executive officers (CEOs) of leading global shipping lines have issued a joint declaration at COP 28. The call for an end date for fossil-only powered newbuilds and urge the IMO to create the regulatory conditions to accelerate the transition to green fuels. The importance of shipping achieving the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) 2030, 2040, and net-zero 2050 greenhouse gas (GHG) targets is very clear.
A global standard for ship recycling
From the magazine – From June 2025, the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) will rule worldwide ship recycling activities. The HKC is expected to have a significant impact on ship recycling practices worldwide, and a step towards one unified global standard. This article was written by ir Martijn van Wijngaarden (pictured on the right), independent marine consultant and SWZ|Maritime guest editor, consultant@vineyardseurope.nl. It was originally published in SWZ|Maritime’s November 2023 issue.
ECSA calls for affordable marine fuels before EP vote
Ahead of the European Parliament (EP) plenary vote on CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles, European shipowners, gathered in the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), highlight once more the urgent need to make clean affordable fuels available for shipping. Sufficient quantities of sustainable and scalable renewable fuels are key for the energy transition of the shipping industry.
EU puts an end to block exemption for container liners
The European Commission has decided not to extend the EU legal framework which exempts liner shipping consortia from EU antitrust rules (Consortia Block Exemption Regulation or CBER). The Commission has concluded that the CBER no longer promotes competition in the shipping sector and therefore it will let it expire on 25 April 2024.
Will the EU align with IMO on ship recycling?
The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) Hong Kong Convention, which sets standards for more sustainable ship recycling, will enter into force on 26 June 2025. The European Union has its own Ship Recycling Regulation. Will the latter now align with the first? The question was in the mind of every participant at the panel discussion jointly organised by the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV) and BIMCO at last week’s European Shipping Summit.
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