A landmark series of amendments to key International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaties officially entered into force on January 1, 2026. These updates introduce rigorous new standards for maritime safety, environmental accountability, and the well-being of seafarers worldwide.
The 2026 amendments target critical gaps in current maritime law, ranging from the mandatory reporting of lost containers to the first-ever standardized training requirements to combat workplace harassment at sea.
Recognizing the urgent need for a safer work environment, the STCW Code (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) has been amended to include mandatory minimum standards for preventing and responding to bullying and sexual harassment.
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Mandatory Training: All seafarers will now receive formal instruction on identifying and responding to violence, harassment, and sexual assault.
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Empowerment: The regulations aim to equip personnel with the social responsibilities and safety knowledge necessary to ensure a respectful and secure workplace.
To mitigate navigation hazards and protect marine ecosystems, amendments to the MARPOL and SOLAS Conventions now make it mandatory for ships to report the loss of freight containers.
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Immediate Notification: Masters must report container losses to nearby ships, the nearest coastal State, and the flag State.
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Data Accuracy: Reports must include specific details, such as the exact position and the number of containers lost, to facilitate recovery and safety warnings.
The entry into force of the STCW-F Code marks a major step in harmonizing qualifications within the fishing industry. For the first time, a mandatory global framework establishes a minimum level of competence for personnel on fishing vessels, ensuring that safety standards in the fishing sector keep pace with modern maritime demands.
Several other critical safety measures have been implemented:
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Lifting and Towing: New SOLAS regulations now govern the design, maintenance, and inspection of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches.
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Fuel Safety: To prevent fire risks, suppliers must now provide certified declarations that oil fuel complies with the 60°C flashpoint requirements.
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Polar Waters: Safety of navigation and voyage planning requirements have been extended to include smaller cargo ships, large pleasure yachts, and fishing vessels (24m+) operating in sensitive polar regions.
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Digital Monitoring: All new containerships and bulk carriers (3,000 GT+) must now be equipped with electronic inclinometers to record and display ship roll motion.
Amendments to the 2011 ESP Code strengthen the oversight of hull structure inspections. National Administrations are now required to audit firms conducting thickness measurements on bulk carriers and oil tankers to ensure technical integrity and transparency.
