2026 – Incoming Regulations

2 Feb
02.02.2026

Members and owners to take note of new regulations, some of which takes place as early as 1 January 2026.

New regulations that may affect your operations include:

Life Saving Appliances (LSA) Code
  • Lifeboats and rescue boats fitted with single-fall and hook systems are subject to similar risks of inadvertent release during recovery operations as those fitted with twin-fall and hook systems. As these systems are operated and tested in much the same way as twin-fall lifeboats, they should therefore be held to equivalent safety standards. In response, the IMO has adopted amendments to the LSA Code, which specify that hooks must not be capable of supporting any load unless they are fully reset and must not be able to release the boat unless it is completely waterborne.
  • Minimum performance standards for life jackets have been enhanced for their in-water performance, ensuring that a lifejacket can turn the body of an unconscious person to a face-up position.
  • The lowering speed of survival crafts and rescue boats has been revised to include a minimum and maximum speed limit. These limits are 1m/s (subject to height calculations) for the lower limit and 1.3m/s for the upper.

The above amendments are all adopted by resolution MSC.554(108) and apply only to new lifejackets and boat installations, and not to existing equipment. The regulation is applicable to all cargo ships of 500 GT and above, and to passenger ships, where the LSA appliances are installed on or after 1 January 2026. Shipowners should ensure these new requirements are met and certified accordingly for any new LSA installed onboard.

Anchor Handling Winches

New requirements have been developed for anchor handling winches, as adopted by MSC.532(107). Winches installed on or after 1 January 2026, are required to be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with classification requirements.

Guidelines are available using MSC.1/Circ.1662.  A thorough examination and load test must be performed before the winch is used and permanently marked with a Safe Working Load (SWL). Existing winches are subject to the same examination and SWL markings and should be carried out no later than the first certificate renewal date in 2026.

These changes are outlined further in our article here.

Fire Safety
  • Amendments have been made to SOLAS Chapter II-2/20 which is applicable to all ships that are intended for the carriage of vehicles. These changes apply to new vehicle carriers from 1 January 2026, existing vehicle carriers must comply with some of the requirements no later than the first survey on or after 1 January 2028. MSC.550(108) outlines the changes, some of these are:
    • Individually identifiable smoke and heat detector systems
    • Fire detection and alarm system requirements for weather decks including safe distances from vehicle lanes to normally occupied areas.
    • Video monitoring of vehicle spaces
    • Fixed water-based firefighting system requirements for weather decks
  • In addition, the Fire Safety Systems Code (FSS), has been amended with improvements to enhance fire safety for vehicle carriers. Impacting vessels constructed on or after 1 January 2026, and not existing vessels, this is outlined in MSC.555(108).
  • Further amendments have been made to SOLAS Chapter II-2 which now prohibits the use of firefighting foams containing PFOS. This applies to new ships from 1 January 2026, existing ships must comply no later than the date of the next initial, annual, periodical or renewal survey for the vessels’ safety certificate (passenger or cargo) after 1 January 2026. This is further outlined in our article here.
  • SOLAS regulation II-2/7.5.5 has been amended (MSC.550(108)) to extend fire detection requirements on cargo ships to additionally cover control stations, cargo control rooms and accommodation, these changes are only applicable to new ships constructed on or after 1 January 2026.  As a consequence, corresponding amendments to the Unified Interpretations of SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the FSS and FTP Codes were approved, as outlined in MSC.1/Circ.1456/Rev.1.
  • SOLAS Chapter II-2 has been amended to reflect the importance of obtaining the correct flash point value for marine fuels as well as the reporting of confirmed cases where fuel oil suppliers have failed to meet the flashpoint requirements. These changes are similar to the MARPOL Annex VI amendments which came into force in 2024, requiring bunker delivery notes to state the flashpoint value of the fuel. These changes are adopted by MSC.520(106).
Amendments to the IGF & IGC Code
  • Amendments have been made to the IGF code, outlined in MSC.551(108). The following are some of the key changes which apply to all new vessels constructed on or after 1 January 2026:
    • Improved design requirements for the pressure relief system on LNG fuel tanks
    • Permitting the use of more than one method for controlling tank pressure and temperature
    • A focus on improving leaks which may occur during bunkering operations at the connection between the bunker system and the bunkering manifold
    • Separate and additional arrangements are required in fuel supply systems so that failure of one fuel system does not result in loss of power
    • A key amendment which will apply to new and existing vessels from their first survey on or after 1 January 2026:
    • A 5kg portable dry powder fire extinguisher is to be inside the fuel preparation room.
  • MSC.524(106) & MSC.523(106), outlines that high manganese austenitic steel is now an approved material which can be used on IGC and IGF approved vessels, effective from 1 January 2026.
  • Amendments to the IGC code, adopted by MSC.566(109), enter into force on 1 July 2026. These amendments allow the possibility to use toxic cargo as fuel if accepted by the Administration.
Navigation Safety
  • SOLAS Chapter V has been amended, as per MSC.532(107). The amendments require all new bulk carriers and container ships of 3,000GT and above, which are constructed on or after 1 January 2026, to carry an electronic inclinometer onboard to help with the operational assessment of a ships’ stability. This is aimed at preventing the loss of containers due to heavy movement on container ships, and for better understanding of vessel movements when carrying a group A cargo on a bulk carrier, which is liable to liquefaction. The inclinometer should be linked with the vessels VDR to aid with accident investigations.
  • MEPC.384(81) & MSC.550(108), adopt changes to SOLAS Chapter V, regulation 31 & 32. The changes require mandatory reporting of lost, or observed lost, containers at sea, effective from 1 January 2026.
IMDG & IMSBC Code
  • The updated IMDG code, amendment 42-24, may have been used voluntarily from 1 January 2025. However, as adopted by MSC.556(108), the code becomes mandatory for all shipments subject to the IMDG code from 1 January 2026. Some of the biggest changes include more classifications and requirements for lithium batteries, including specific UN numbers 3556 and 3557 for vehicles. Charcoal had key changes too which is outlined in our resource here.
  • Similar to above, the 08-25 amendments to the IMSBC code can be used voluntarily from 1 January 2026, but do not become mandatory until 2027. This is outlined within MSC.575(110).
International Grain Code

MSC.552(108) adopts amendments to the international code for the safe carriage of grain in bulk. The changes outline a new loading condition for the safe stowage of grain. These changes come into force 1 January 2026 and apply to all cargo ships, including those of less than 500GT.

Our article, found here, discusses this in more detail.

Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW code)

Amendments have been made, adopted by MSC.560(108), which require seafarers to receive training in prevention and response to violence, harassment, bullying and sexual harassment or assault. These changes come into force 1 January 2026.

Lifting Appliances

The IMO has adopted SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13, introducing mandatory safety requirements for on-board lifting appliances. The regulation enters into force on 1 January 2026, adopted by resolution MSC.532(107).

See our resource, here, for more guidance.

MARPOL
  • Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, adopted by MEPC.392(82), have designated the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea as emission control areas (ECA). Both ECAs will enforce sulphur compliance from 1 March 2027, therefore requiring the use of fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.10%. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions control come into force 1 March 2026:
    • NOx compliance for ships operating in the Canadian Arctic must comply with Tier III requirements if their keel was laid on or after 1 January 2025.
    • In the Norwegian ECA, vessels with a keel laid on or after 1 September 2026, or delivered after 1 March 2030, must comply with Tier III requirements.
  • NOx Technical Code has been amended, adopted by MEPC.398(83). The amendments include procedures and guidance for an engine emission test plan for engines which undergo substantial modifications and may change NOx Tier level or NOx parameters.
  • Whilst not an international legislation change, the popular Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp (ARA) area for bunkering will implement changes for all bunker delivers from January 1, 2026. These changes include mandatory use of mass flow meters in the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges to improve accuracy and transparency of fuel delivered.
Decarbonisation
  • The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), from 1 January 2026, will require shipping companies to surrender allowances for 70% of their verified CO2 emissions from the previous year, compared to 40% in 2025. In addition, EU ETS will start to account for methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions for the first time.
  • The UK ETS maritime regime is expected to start on 1 July 2026. Similar to EU ETS, it will require surrendering allowances based on verified emissions data for voyages involving UK port calls.

This is outlined further in our article here.

Oil Tankers

Amendments have been adopted to the Performance Standard for Protective Coatings for Cargo Oil Tanks of Crude Oil Tankers affecting section 6 on coating inspection requirements. This is adopted by MSC.558(108) and comes into force 1 January 2026 The amendment clarifies that all required coating inspections must be carried out by qualified coating inspectors. These inspectors must hold certification as an AMPP Certified Coatings Inspector, FROSIO Inspector Level III, or an equivalent qualification, as verified by the Administration.

Source: 2026 – Incoming Regulations | NorthStandard | Marine Insurance