Regulatory
Trends and Impact
SECOND
EDITION
An overview of upcoming international and regional regulatory developments
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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has made several important developments in recent years, focusing
on environmental sustainability, maritime safety and technological innovation. The IMO is also addressing the growing concerns over cybersecurity risks in maritime operations, enhancing ship safety standards with a focus
on improving crew training, implementing new technologies and ensuring that international regulations keep pace with innovations such as autonomous shipping.
The second edition of Regulatory Trends and Impact provides a comprehensive summary of the regulatory developments from the IMO, including the latest adopted regulations and the ones under discussion that are expected to be adopted.
provides a summary of the latest regulatory efforts under development at the IMO, highlighting the key topics championed by the organization to improve the safety, efficiency and technological leadership of the maritime industry.
Regulatory Trends and Impact: Second Edition
IMO GHG Reduction
Mid-Term Measures
Key Developments
Guidance for Alternative Fuels
EU Fit for 55 –– FuelEU Maritime Regulation
U.S. EPA
Vessel Incident Discharge
Act
Maritime Cybersecurity
Panama Canal Green Route Plan 2050
From reductions in the carbon intensity of shipping, to the use of future fuels and autonomous ship capabilities, the IMO continues to pursue a unified consensus on the direction of shipping in the remainder of this century.
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Regulatory Trends and Impact: Second Edition also summarizes the main regulatory developments at regional and country-specific levels. These regional and national regulatory developments are often testbeds for finding solutions that can have global applications in the future but must be accounted for in current vessel operations.
These key national and international developments are current as of autumn 2024, and ABS will continue to monitor any changes and provide updated guidance that will help you navigate the regulatory landscape in the years ahead.
Hover to learn more about which regions are discussed in Regulatory Trends and Impact: Second Edition
European Union
United Kingdom
United States
China
Australia
Canada
Singapore
new zealand
Panama
Regulatory Overview
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2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
Adopted by IMO
Ongoing Discussion
Environmental Protection
Revision of Initial IMO GHG Strategy
LCA Guidelines
Life-cycle GHG/Carbon Intensity Guidelines
30 June 2023
Interim Guidelines for LPG as Fuel
Maritime Safety
Environmental Protection
Maritime Safety
1 July 2024
NEW SOLAS XV
Industrial Personnel and new IP Code
1 January 2024
• EU Emission Trading System (ETS)
Environmental Protection
Maritime Safety
Interim Guidelines for ships using hydrogen, ammonia and low-flashpoint oil fuels between 52° C and 60° C, covering fossil fuels, synthetic fuels, biofuels and any mixture thereof
1 January 2025
FuelEU Maritime Regulation
Environmental Protection
Maritime Safety
1 January 2026
• SOLAS Chapter V Electronic
inclinometers on containerships
and bulk carriers
Maritime Safety
GBS MASS Code development
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With an ever-evolving regulatory landscape, it is important to stay informed of the latest regulatory developments both globally and regionally. Explore ABS Regulatory News for the most recent guidance and keep up-to-date with future regulations by subscribing to our regulatory newsletter.
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Environmental Protection
Review of the short-term
measures Phase 2
1 January 2026
Increased data granularity in IMO DCS
1 March 2026
Canadian Arctic and Norwegian
Sea ECAs
• SOLAS II-1 New OLAW
Regulations
• STCW Code New Provisions
on Bullying and Harassment
1 July 2026
IGC – Use of Cargoes Identified as Toxic Products (e.g. Ammonia) as Fuel
1 October 2025
• BWM – Use of Electronic
Ballast Water Record Book
• GHG mid-term measures
1 July 2025
Electronic Certificates of Seafarers
BWM
• Ports with
Challenging
Water Quality
• Temporary Storage of
Treated Sewage/Gray
Water in Ballast Tanks