Maritime

EU Council Adopts Position for IMO MEPC 84 on IMO Net-Zero Framework for Shipping

In April 2026 the EU Council adopted Decision (EU) 2026/1067 setting a unified EU negotiating mandate on greenhouse gas measures for shipping at IMO MEPC 84, focused on the IMO Net-Zero Framework under MARPOL Annex VI. The decision signals strong EU support for a global fuel-standard and pricing-based GHG regime for maritime transport, indicating that future IMO outcomes could decisively influence EU MRV, FuelEU Maritime and ETS rules for ship operators.

13 May 2026, 11:52eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionGlobal

EU Industrial Maritime Strategy – Commission Presentation Signals Possible EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime MRV Simplification

In March 2026 the European Commission presented its EU Industrial Maritime Strategy to the Council Shipping Working Party, signalling plans to review how EU emissions and fuel rules apply to shipping and ports. For shipowners, ports, and maritime manufacturers this points to future proposals to simplify EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime monitoring and reporting requirements, so compliance teams should anticipate potential changes in decarbonisation reporting and administrative processes over the coming years.

11 May 2026, 11:18data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

US OFAC Sanctions 20 Energy and Shipping Firms and 19 Vessels for Operating in Iran Petroleum Sector

In April 2026 the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated 20 shipping, trading and energy companies and 19 associated vessels under Executive Order 13902 for operating in Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors. These sanctions immediately block dealings by US persons with the listed entities and ships, increasing compliance risk for global crude, LPG and petrochemical supply chains that may rely on them for transport, trading or refining.

9 May 2026, 19:17public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

European Union Outlines Shipping GHG and Marine Pollution Positions for IMO MEPC 84 and ISWG-GHG 21

In April 2026 the EU circulated a detailed non-paper to coordinate Member State positions for upcoming IMO meetings on shipping greenhouse gas emissions and marine environment protection. This document signals continued EU pressure for ambitious global rules on shipping decarbonisation, plastics and underwater noise that align with its own MRV, ETS, FuelEU, waste and marine protection regimes and are likely to shape future obligations for ship operators and fuel suppliers.

8 May 2026, 19:00data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

US Maritime Administration Seeks Comment on System-Centric Small Modular Reactor Concept for Marine Transportation

In May 2026 the US Maritime Administration launched a Federal Register request for information on developing a commercially viable, system-centric small modular reactor concept for deployment in the marine transportation system, with comments due by 5 August 2026. The consultation does not propose binding rules but signals growing US interest in nuclear-powered shipping and seeks industry input on safety, liability, port access, workforce, and regulatory architectures needed to scale maritime SMR deployment.

8 May 2026, 11:05govinfo.govUnited States

Croatia Opens Consultation on Draft Regulation for a Single Interface for Maritime Transport Formalities

Croatia has launched a public consultation on a draft regulation that would establish its single national maritime interface (CIMIS and linked systems) as the sole platform for electronic ship reporting formalities, implementing the EU **European Maritime Single Window Environment Regulation (EU) 2019/1239**. The draft sets out definitions, assigns obligations to all relevant state administration bodies, requires ship operators to submit reporting data once via the interface for reuse by all competent authorities, and designates the maritime safety directorate as the national EMSWe coordinator, while repealing the existing 2015 maritime single‑interface regulation once the new measure enters into force.

8 May 2026, 10:56esavjetovanja.gov.hrCroatia

US Coast Guard Establishes Permanent Safety Zones for Rocket Launches Near Boca Chica, Texas

In May 2026 the US Coast Guard finalized permanent safety zones in South Bay and offshore Boca Chica Beach, Texas, for commercial rocket launches, effective from 4 June 2026. These time-limited closures will periodically restrict vessel access during launches, so operators in the area must integrate the new zones and Coast Guard enforcement notices into voyage planning and marine safety procedures.

8 May 2026, 07:59federalregister.govUnited States

EU Council Adopts Decision on EU Position at IMO for MARPOL and SOLAS Amendments

In April 2026 the EU Council adopted a binding decision setting the Union’s common position at upcoming IMO MEPC and MSC meetings to support new MARPOL Annex VI and SOLAS amendments on ship emission controls, fuel-consumption transparency, digital navigation systems and vessel safety codes. These IMO changes, once adopted and implemented into EU law, are expected to tighten air-emission and greenhouse-gas requirements in the North-East Atlantic and raise safety and equipment standards for EU-related shipping, so operators and marine-equipment suppliers should anticipate higher compliance and retrofit expectations over the coming years.

8 May 2026, 07:29eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Amends Energy Transport and Marine Fuel Regulations to Implement EU Directive 2023/2413

The Netherlands has adopted a ministerial regulation updating the Energy Transport Regulation and marine fuel rules to implement EU Directive 2023/2413 (RED III) and shift the 2026 transport framework to CO2-based, sector-specific renewable energy targets. Fuel suppliers, electricity and hydrogen inbookers, refiners and marine fuel traders now face stricter data, verification and Uniedatabase obligations, a new refinery reduction credit regime, and quarterly bunker reporting to ILT, so 2026 contracts, IT systems and compliance controls need rapid adjustment.

8 May 2026, 05:41zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

US Coast Guard Opens Comment on Draft PEIS/OEIS for Atlantic Coast Shipping Safety Fairways

The US Coast Guard has released a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement on establishing shipping safety fairways and related vessel routing measures along the US Atlantic Coast, opening a public comment period that runs to 22 June 2026. For shipping and port operators, including those moving hazardous cargoes, this is an early-stage but strategic signal that future rulemakings may formalise new routing corridors and anchorages, reshaping navigational planning and environmental risk management along key Atlantic routes.

8 May 2026, 05:40federalregister.govUnited States

China MEM Consults on Draft Conditions for Marine Petroleum Safety Evaluation and Testing Institutions

In April 2026, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management opened a public consultation on draft conditions for institutions that conduct marine petroleum safety evaluation, testing, and inspection. The proposal will formalise qualification and management requirements for offshore oil safety evaluation bodies, so affected operators and service providers should review the draft and prepare submissions before the 30 June 2026 deadline.

5 May 2026, 14:14mem.gov.cnChina

EU Commission Amends Hazardous Materials Inventory Certificate Format for Ship Recycling

The European Commission has adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/121 updating the standard certificate format used to attest inventories of hazardous materials on ships under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. This change means shipowners, flag administrations and classification societies must migrate to a single certificate template that is recognised under both EU and Hong Kong Convention rules, simplifying documentation and reducing risk of non-compliance during inspections and recycling.

5 May 2026, 06:57eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Staff Working Document on 2025 Maritime Transport Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In April 2026 the European Commission published a detailed staff working document analysing greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport in 2018–2024 under the EU MRV Maritime Regulation, showing record 2024 emissions driven by rerouting, higher activity, and expanded coverage of non-CO2 gases. The findings underline that shipping companies face rising decarbonisation and cost pressure as EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime requirements phase in, with MRV data now central to benchmarking performance, pricing carbon risk, and guiding future climate and fuel-transition policy for the maritime sector.

4 May 2026, 20:00data.consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

European Commission 2025 Report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Maritime Transport

In April 2026 the European Commission published its 2025 report analysing greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport in the European Union. The non-binding assessment provides data and trend insights that will shape future decarbonisation measures for shipping but does not itself create new compliance obligations.

3 May 2026, 14:58ec.europa.euEuropean Union

US OSHA Finalises Revocation of Open Fires Standard for Marine Terminals

In April 2026, OSHA issued a final rule revoking the federal Open Fires in Marine Terminals standard (29 CFR 1917.21), effective 28 April 2026. This deregulatory change removes a specific federal prohibition on open fires at marine terminals, so operators—especially in OSHA State Plan jurisdictions—should reassess fire-safety controls and confirm whether any state standards continue to apply.

1 May 2026, 12:53federalregister.govUnited States

EU Council Negotiates Position for IMO MEPC 84 Talks on Shipping GHG Emissions

EU governments are preparing a common position for forthcoming IMO negotiations aimed at strengthening greenhouse gas rules for international shipping. While this non-legislative step carries no immediate compliance duties, it shapes future global standards that could significantly affect vessel efficiency requirements, fuel choices, and emissions monitoring obligations for maritime operators.

30 Apr 2026, 06:50eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Canada Proposes Amendments to Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention and CSA 2001 Penalty Regulations

Canada has opened a 60-day consultation on proposed amendments to its Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations and related CSA 2001 penalty rules, extending Polar Code navigation and voyage-planning requirements to additional fishing, cargo, and pleasure vessels in Canadian Arctic waters while formalising higher administrative penalties for non-compliance. If adopted, these changes will raise equipment and planning expectations for Arctic operators, strengthen enforcement leverage, and modestly increase costs in exchange for reduced accident risk, better protection of marine ecosystems and marine mammals, and closer alignment with international SOLAS and Polar Code standards.

29 Apr 2026, 17:47gazette.gc.caCanada

European Commission Clarifies MRV and ETS Obligations for Offshore Shipping in Answer to Parliament Question

In April 2026 the European Commission clarified how existing EU MRV and ETS rules apply to offshore shipping, pointing to updated guidance, ongoing technical discussions, and an ETS Directive review that may introduce further compliance-facilitating measures for this sector. For offshore operators and their customers this signals that current MRV/ETS obligations already bite while future adjustments are being explored, so they should align with the 2025 guidance and closely track upcoming ETS review proposals affecting offshore activities.

29 Apr 2026, 08:55europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Government Issues UK ETS Direction on Eligible Maritime Fuels

The UK government has issued a binding ministerial direction defining which certified low‑carbon fuels maritime operators can treat as eligible fuels for emissions reduction claims under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme from 1 July 2026. This locks in a specific set of recognised certification schemes and EU-derived sustainability criteria, so shipping companies and fuel suppliers will need to align fuel procurement and documentation with these rules to unlock ETS savings and ensure compliant reporting.

28 Apr 2026, 17:46assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Netherlands Opens Consultation on Subsidy Scheme for Greener Inland Shipping

The Netherlands has launched a public consultation on a draft 2026–2029 subsidy scheme that will fund Dutch inland shipowners to install low- and zero-emission energy systems and supporting shore infrastructure. If implemented as proposed, this programme will channel around €240 million into early adoption of electric, hydrogen and methanol propulsion in inland logistics, creating a time-bound opportunity for fleets and shippers to co-finance decarbonisation projects and build experience ahead of stricter climate policies.

28 Apr 2026, 11:35rijksoverheid.nlNetherlands