【Regulation】Overview of Major Amendments to International Maritime Conventions and Regulations Effective from January 1, 2026

1. Mandatory Reporting of Lost Containers at Sea (SOLAS V/31-32, MSC.549(108))

Summary of Amendment: Immediate reporting of containers lost overboard becomes mandatory.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Applicable Vessels: All ships carrying containers

Details:

• Responsible Party: Shipmaster
• Regulation 31 (Danger Messages):
  • If containers are lost overboard:
    • Report immediately to:
      • Nearby vessels
      • Coastal States
      • Flag State (which will share the information via IMO GISIS)
  • If drifting containers are sighted:
    • Report similarly to nearby vessels and coastal States.
• Regulation 32 (Information Required in Danger Messages):
  • Required details (as precise as possible):
    • Location of lost/drifting containers
    • Total number
    • Presence of dangerous goods under IMDG Code
    • If possible:
      • Cargo contents
      • Weather and sea conditions
      • Other relevant information
• Reporting Timing:
  • Initial report as soon as possible
  • Update reports as more information becomes available
  • Final confirmed report after investigation

Reference: https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/pdf/tech_info/tech_img/T1335e.pdf

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2. Expansion of MARPOL Annex VI Polar Emission Control Areas (MEPC.392(82))

Summary of Amendment: Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea designated as new ECAs with stricter NOx, SOx, and PM emission controls.

(1) NOx Regulations

Effective Date: March 1, 2026

Applicable Vessels:

• Canadian Arctic Waters: Ships keel laid on or after March 1, 2026
• Norwegian Sea:
  • Ships with building contracts signed on or after March 1, 2026
  • If no contract, ships keel laid on or after September 1, 2026
  • Ships delivered on or after March 1, 2030

Requirement: Engines must comply with NOx Tier III standards

(2) SOx Regulations

Effective Date: March 1, 2026
Application Date: March 1, 2027 (12-month grace period)

Details: Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea designated as new ECAs

References:MEPC82(392)

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3. Strengthening of CII Reduction Rate (MEPC.394(82))

Summary of Amendment: CII reduction factor strengthened to 11% compared to 2019 (previously 9% in 2025)

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Related Amendments:

• SEEMP Guidelines:
  • Clear definitions of “under way” and “not under way”
  • New reporting items in IMO DCS, including fuel consumption per equipment and during non-underway periods
• IMO DCS Data Access:
  • Member States: Access to non-anonymized data
  • General users: Access to anonymized data

Reference: https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/en/activities/statutory/seemp/index.html

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4. Safety Requirements for Lifting Appliances and Anchor Handling Winches (MSC.532(107))

Summary of Amendment: New Regulation 3-13 added to SOLAS Chapter II-1

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Applicable Equipment:

• Cargo cranes, hatch cover cranes, engine room cranes, hose handling, crew handling
• Anchor handling winches for subsea operations

Applicable Vessels:

• Newbuilds: Contract signed on or after Jan 1, 2026, or keel laid on or after July 1, 2026
• Existing ships: Equipment installed before Jan 1, 2026

Exemptions:

• MODUs
• Offshore construction vessels (subject to Flag State standards)
• LSA Code-compliant life-saving appliances
• Equipment with SWL < 1,000 kg (subject to Flag State decision)

Responsibilities:

• Shipowners/Shipyards: Compliance in design, manufacture, installation
• Classification Societies: Design review, inspections, certification
• Flag States: Scope determination and exemption approval
• Manufacturers: Maintenance manuals, component info, inspection schedules
• Management Companies: Maintenance, inspections, certification, nameplate display

Reference: MSC.532(107)

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5. IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 (MSC.556(108))

Summary of Amendment: Comprehensive revision of the IMDG Code

Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Applicable Vessels: All ships transporting dangerous goods under SOLAS Chapter VII Part A Regulation 1

Key Changes:

• New UN Numbers for Battery-Powered Vehicles:
  • UN3556: Lithium-ion battery vehicles
  • UN3557: Lithium metal battery vehicles
  • UN3558: Sodium-ion battery vehicles
• New Special Provisions:
  • SP404: Exemption conditions for sodium-ion battery vehicles
  • SP405: Marking exemption conditions for battery-powered vehicles
• New Packaging Instruction:
  • P912: Packaging requirements for vehicles over 30kg
• New Sodium-Ion Battery Entries:
  • UN3552, UN3553
  • New section “2.9.5 Sodium-ion Batteries”
  • SP400, SP401 exemptions

Reference: MSC.556(108)

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6. Amendment to LSA Code

Summary of Amendment: Requirements for ventilation systems, testing, and maintenance of totally enclosed lifeboats

Effective Dates:

• Ventilation & Testing: Ships with contracts signed on or after Jan 1, 2029
• Maintenance & Inspection: Lifeboats with ventilation systems from Jan 1, 2026

Details:

• Ventilation: 5m³/h × number of occupants for 24 hours; power source must not share with radio batteries
• Testing: Ventilation must not impair self-righting; performance testing required
• Maintenance: Annual detailed inspection of ventilation systems

Reference: MSC559(108)

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7. Amendment to International Grain Code (MSC.552(108))

Summary of Amendment: Addition of new stowage category

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Details:

• New Category: Specially suitable compartment, partly filled in way of hatch opening, with ends untrimmed
• Technical Requirements:
  • Stability calculations for new category
  • Grain Loading Manual update
  • Grain Loading Computer update and approval

Reference: https://www.piclub.or.jp/en/news/42307

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8. Amendment to SOLAS Chapter V (MSC.563(108))

Summary of Amendment: Mandatory installation and VDR recording of electronic inclinometers

Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Applicable Vessels: Container ships and bulk carriers ≥ 3,000 GT with keel laid on or after Jan 1, 2026

Requirements:

• Must be equipped with electronic inclinometers to measure, display, and record roll motion
• Must comply with performance standards in MSC.1/Circ.1678

Reference: ClassNK documentation on electronic inclinometers