Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Effective Dates: 01/01/2026

Please be informed that the upcoming IMO Amendments entering into force on 1 January 2026 are listed below for your reference.

STCW Code and STCW-F Convention

• Resolutions: MSC.560(108), MSC.561(108), MSC.562(108)
• Scope: Fishing vessels and all seafarers
• Summary:
  • Revised provisions on training, certification and watch keeping for fishing vessel personnel.
  • New mandatory training for all seafarers addressing the prevention of violence, harassment (including sexual harassment), bullying, and assault.

Prohibition of PFOS in Fire-Fighting Foams

• Resolutions: MSC.532(107), MSC.536(107), MSC.537(107)
• Scope: All ships
• Summary:
  • Prohibition of the use of fire-fighting foams containing PFOS substances on-board ships.

SOLAS II-1/3-13 – Onboard Lifting Appliances and Anchor Handling Winches (OLAW)

• Resolution: MSC.532(107)
• Scope: All ships
• Summary:
  • Establishes new requirements for on-board lifting appliances and anchor handling winches to improve operational safety.

IGF and IGC Codes – Use of High-Manganese Austenitic Steel

• Resolutions: MSC.524(106), MSC.523(106)
• Scope: Ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels / gas carriers
• Summary:
  • Allows the use of high-manganese austenitic steel as cryogenic material with minimum design temperature -165°C.

Fire Protection of Control Stations on Cargo Ships

• Resolution: MSC.550(108)
• Scope: New cargo ships
• Summary:
  • Fixed fire detection and alarm systems to cover all control stations and cargo control rooms.

For existing passenger ships constructed before 1 January 2026, where applicable, compliance with retroactive requirements shall be confirmed by the attending surveyor(s) at the first survey conducted on or after 1 January 2028.

Fuel Oil Safety Measures

• Resolution: MSC.520(106)
• Scope: All ships
• Summary:
  • Bunker delivery notes to include flashpoint or statement of conformity with SOLAS II-2/4.2.1.
  • Non-compliant cases to be reported to IMO by the Administration.

LSA Code Amendments

• Resolution: MSC.554(108)
• Scope: All ships
• Summary:
  • Enhanced in-water performance standards for lifejackets.
  • New lowering speed requirements for survival craft launching appliances.
  • Clarification on exemptions for single fall and hook systems.

Ventilation of Totally Enclosed Lifeboats

• Resolutions: MSC.535(107), MSC.544(107)
• Scope: New installations after 1 January 2029
• Summary:
  • Minimum ventilation capacity requirement of 5 m³/hour per person.
  • Limiting the duration of thermal protection tests for immersion suits using human subjects to a maximum of 15 minutes when skin temperature falls below 10°C.

IMDG Code Amendments

• Resolution: MSC.556(108)
• Scope: Ships carrying IMDG cargo
• Summary: Addition of new dangerous goods, revised provisions for battery-powered vehicles, and stricter requirements for data loggers and sensors.

2011 ESP Code

• Resolution: MSC.553(108)
• Scope: Oil tankers and bulk carriers
• Summary: Clarifies Administrations’ right to directly audit thickness measurement firms.

Grain Code Amendments

• Resolution: MSC.552(108)
• Scope: All cargo ships
• Summary: Introduces a new class of loading condition for grain carriage.

Mandatory Electronic Inclinometers

• Resolutions: MSC.532(107), MSC.533(107), MSC.534(107)
• Scope: New bulk carriers and container ships ≥ 3,000 GT
• Summary: Mandatory carriage of electronic inclinometers with new performance standards.

IGF Code Amendments

• Resolution: MSC.551(108)
• Scope: New ships (retroactive provisions apply to some existing ships)
• Summary: Updates and enhancements to safety requirements under the IGF Code.

Maintenance and Testing of Survival Craft and Rescue Boats

• Resolutions: MSC.402(96), MSC.559(108)
• Scope: All ships
• Summary: Ventilation systems of totally enclosed lifeboats included in annual examination and operational testing by approved service suppliers.