Written statement on Changes to international maritime law - Dec 16

Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation (Keir Mather): I am making this statement to introduce updates to maritime legislation as a result of changes to international law, in order to fulfil a commitment to Parliament to make such a statement. The legislation comes into force from 1 January 2026.

Some domestic maritime secondary legislation includes provision for ambulatory reference to give direct effect in UK law of certain amendments to international maritime obligations. This means that where the legislation refers to a requirement of an international instrument, this reference will be ambulatory; in other words, it is a reference to the most up to date version of that requirement. This approach ensures so far as possible that the UK keeps up to date with its international maritime obligations.

Amendments have been made to international maritime instruments which will enter into force in the UK in 2026 by way of ambulatory reference provisions. The amendments are to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and to certain codes made under those conventions, as well as to the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). The UK is a signatory to SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW and the amendments have been agreed in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and all relate to enhancing maritime safety.

Amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-1 to introduce new safety requirements for lifting appliances and anchor handling winches.

SOLAS II-1 is ambulatory by virtue of the ambulatory reference provision in the Merchant Shipping (Cargo and Passenger Ship Construction and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/246).

The relevant IMO resolution is MSC.532(107).

The amendments introduce enhanced design, maintenance, operation and testing standards for lifting appliances and anchor handling winches with effect from 1 January 2026.

The International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-Flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), made mandatory internationally by Chapter II-1 of SOLAS, which relates to the construction of ships.

Chapter II-1 is implemented in the United Kingdom by the Merchant Shipping (Cargo and Passenger Ship Construction and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/246) and, as such, the implementation includes the IGF Code.

Amendments have been made to Chapter II-1, along with changes to the IGFCode, that affect ships constructed on or after 1st January 2026.

These amendments will come into force on 1 January 2026 and can be found in IMO Resolutions MSC.524(106), MSC.551(108).

Amendments to the qualification standards for inspectors of protective coatings are introduced by MSC.557(108) and MSC.558(108).

These standards form part of the requirements under Chapter II-1 of SOLAS.

These amendments fall within scope of the Merchant Shipping (Cargo and Passenger Ship Construction and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/246).

The amendments are textual updates to the qualification requirements for coating inspectors, replacing the reference to “NACE Coating Inspector Level 2” with “AMPP Certified Coatings Inspector, FROSIO Inspector Level III or equivalent as verified by the Administration.” reflecting the name change of the responsible professional body This change ensures alignment with current certification standards and applies with effect from 1 January 2026.

Amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (ESP Code) have been introduced via IMO Resolution MSC.553(108).

These standards form part of the requirements under Chapter II-1 of SOLAS.

These amendments, take effect by virtue of the ambulatory reference provision in the Merchant Shipping (Cargo and Passenger Ship Construction and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/246), apply to Part A, Annex 5, paragraph 2.2 and Part B, Annex 5, paragraph 2.2 of the Code.

The changes are minor amendments to the text for clarity and take effect from 1 January 2026.

Amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 to introduce new requirements for fire safety on ships including fire detection, fire suppression and containment of fire.

SOLAS II-2 is ambulatory by virtue of the ambulatory reference provision in the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/568).

The relevant IMO resolutions are MSC.520(106), MSC.532(107), MSC.550(108), and MSC.555(108).

The amendments come into force from 1 January 2026 and introduce new requirements for ensuring the flashpoint of fuel oils, prohibition of the use of firefighting foams containing PFOS, new requirements for fire detection on cargo ships, and significant new requirements for fire detection, fire containment and fire suppression on roll-on/roll-off passenger ships along with corresponding amendments to the Fire Safety Systems Code.

Amendments to the IMO High Speed Craft Code (1994 and 2000 revisions) to align the requirements with the SOLAS Chapter II-2 regarding the maritime ban on PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid), which is a persistent organic pollutant, in Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) which is used as a firefighting medium on some ships. These amendments will come into force on 1 January 2026 and can be found in IMO Resolutions MSC.536(107) and MSC.537(107). These will be enacted through the ambulatory reference provision in the Merchant Shipping (High Speed Craft) Regulations 2022 (SI2022/1219).

Amendments relating to SOLAS Chapter III and the Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code have been introduced via IMO Resolutions MSC.535(107), MSC.554(107), and MSC.559(108).

These provisions fall within scope of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/501) and are therefore subject to the ambulatory reference provision.

Resolution MSC.535(107) introduces new requirements for totally enclosed lifeboats ‘installed on or after 1 January 2029', mandating the provision of a ventilation system capable of achieving a defined airflow for 24 hours, with technical specifications for opening and closing mechanisms across lifeboat types.

Resolution MSC.554(107) strengthens performance standards for lifejackets by requiring them to reliably turn an unconscious casualty into a safe orientation in the water, removing any tolerance for failure in testing. It also sets out design safeguards for lifeboat and rescue boat release hooks to prevent inadvertent activation, and defines safe maximum and minimum lowering speeds for launching appliances used with survival craft or rescue boats.

Resolution MSC.559(108), while not amending SOLAS Chapter III or the LSACode directly, introduces consequential changes to the annual thorough examination and operational testing of lifeboats following the adoption of MSC.535(107). It requires verification of the condition and operation of the ventilation system as part of routine lifeboat testing. As MSC.402(96) is mandatory under SOLAS Chapter III, these consequential amendments are binding under SI 2020/501 and the associated ambulatory reference provision.

These amendments take effect from 1 January 2026.

SOLAS chapter V focuses on measures which improve safety of navigation and is implemented in the UK law by the Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/673).

To address the growing concern over container loss and bulk cargo damage caused by excessive vessel roll motions, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a new requirement under Resolution MSC.532(107).

Effective from 1 January 2026, SOLAS Regulation V/19.2.12 mandates the installation of electronic inclinometers on newly built container ships and bulk carriers of 3,000 gross tonnage and above to determine, display and record the ship's roll motion.

This regulatory advancement is expected to significantly enhance operational safety, reduce cargo-related incidents, and support more informed decision-making during adverse sea conditions.

The International Grain Code, which provides the mandatory standards for the safe stowage  and shipment of grain in bulk, is made mandatory by SOLASChapter VI (the carriage of cargoes and oil fuels) and is implemented in the UK by the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 2024 (SINo.2024/637). This code is amended by IMO resolution MSC.552(108) to improve safety by making provision for a new class of loading conditions for ships with specially suitable compartments. This amendment enters into force internationally and in the UK on 1 January 2026.

The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code provides the international regulatory framework for the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes other than grain and includes mandatory carriage requirements specific to each solid bulk cargo covered by the Code.

The IMSBC Code is made mandatory by Chapter VI of SOLAS and is implemented in the UK primarily by the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 2024 (SI No.2024/637).

In order to ensure that the IMSBC remains up to date and relevant to the cargoes being shipped, it is amended in the IMO every 2 years.

The next edition of the IMSBC Code will become mandatory on 1 January 2027 and can be used on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2026.

Amendment 08-25 includes the addition of a number of new solid bulk cargoes in order to permit and facilitate their safe transport by sea, and amendments to some existing cargo schedules.

These amendments were adopted by IMO resolution MSC.575(110).

The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (the IGC Code) is the international standard for the safe transport in bulk by sea of liquefied gases.

The Code is made mandatory by SOLAS Chapter VII (carriage of dangerous goods) and is implemented in the UK by the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Harmful Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (SI No.2024/636).

Two amendments to the IGC Code will enter into force internationally and in the UK on 1 January 2026.

These are the acceptance of high manganese austenitic steel as a material of construction for gas carriers, along with consequential amendments, as adopted in IMO resolution MSC.523(106), and amendments which enable the use of other liquefied gas cargoes, in addition to methane, as fuel onboard gas carriers which will facilitate efforts to decarbonise global shipping and reduce emissions.

These amendments were adopted by IMO resolution MSC.566(109).

Protocol 1 of MARPOL sets out provisions concerning the mandatory reporting of incidents involving harmful substances.

Protocol 1 is amended to reflect an amendment to SOLAS Chapter V which makes it mandatory for ships to report the loss of freight containers, including containers containing harmful substances.

The UK will implement these amendments through the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Harmful Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (SI 2024/636).

This amendment to MARPOL Protocol 1 will ensure that the amendment to SOLAS Chapter V does not result in duplicated reporting requirements for industry.

This amendment was adopted in the IMO by resolution MEPC.384(81).

The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/2924) implement the 1997 Protocol to the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78).

The 1997 Protocol provides for the establishment of International Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships by adding Annex VI to MARPOL 73/78.

Annex VI includes a Technical Code on the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines (NOx Technical Code) and the amendments will update the procedures for controlling nitrogen oxide emissions from marine diesel engines.

The code amendments will come into force on 1 September 2026 and can be found in MEPC.398(83).

The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/2924), transpose the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), and Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) regimes into UK law.

These regulations implement the 1997 Protocol to MARPOL 73/78, which established Annex VI on the prevention of air pollution from ships.

Annex VI includes Regulation 26 of SEEMP.

These amendments introduce clearer planning and reporting requirements to help ships reduce fuel use and emissions.

SEEMP is now structured into 3 parts: Part I covers operational energy efficiency measures; Part II outlines fuel oil data collection procedures; and Part III sets out a carbon intensity improvement plan linked to the ship's CIIrating.

Ships will be required to report fuel use by engine type, use of shore power, distance travelled with cargo, and any installed energy-saving technologies.

Flag administrations must verify and approve SEEMP Parts II and III, ensuring ships are actively working to improve their environmental performance.

Amendments to SEEMP, adopted by IMO Resolution MEPC.395(82), will come into force on 1 January 2026.

IMO resolution MSC.560(108) amends the mandatory standards of competence in personal safety and social responsibilities for seafarers in chapter VI of the STCW code to include mandatory training on “prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault.

The amendment is to Table A-VI/1 which specifies the minimum standard of competence in Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR). Guidance has been issued to all UK-approved training providers to incorporate these amendments into courses delivered from 1 January 2026.

This is implemented through the ambulatory reference provisions in The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/1342).

Therefore, all new seafarers undertaking basic training after that date will receive the updated PSSR content.

Further information and guidance on all amendments referred to in this statement has been published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.