Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers
Action Date: Immediate
We are pleased to inform you that, effective immediately, PHRS Technical Circulars are now publicly accessible through our e-app platform. You may view them at the following link (no registration is required): https://eapp.phrs.gr/Home/Publications
The circulars are organized by year of issuance to facilitate easy navigation. Within the “TECHNICAL CIRCULARS” folder, you can also use the “Filter By” field in the upper-right corner of the screen to search for a circular by its title or a part of it.
These Technical Circulars serve as a valuable resource for ship-owners, managers, operators, PHRS surveyors, and auditors. They provide essential information on:
• Flag Administration requirements
• Regulatory and statutory updates
• PHRS guidelines and procedures
We encourage all stakeholders to regularly consult this section to remain informed of the latest developments relevant to their operations and compliance responsibilities.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers
Action Date: Immediate
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued MEPC.1/Circ.917, providing interim guidance on the carriage of biofuel blends containing up to 30% biofuel by volume on conventional bunker ships certified under MARPOL Annex I. Relevant to this is Marine Advisory 14/2025 issued by the Liberian Registry on May 30 2025.
Key Provisions:
Action Required:
Owners and operators of bunker vessels intending to carry biofuel blends should ensure compliance with the above requirements and consult MEPC.1/Circ.917 for complete details.
Contact:
For further clarification or guidance, please contact us at technical@phrs.gr or for vessels under LISCR you may contact directly the LISCR Regulations and Standards Department at:
RegsandStandards@liscr.com
Action Date: 1 May 2025
The Mediterranean Sea officially became an Emission Control Area (Med SOx ECA) under MARPOL Annex VI on 1 May 2025. The sulphur content in fuel oil for ships operating in the area is now limited to 0.1%, significantly reducing air pollution and delivering major benefits to both human health and the marine environment.
Ships operating within the Med SOx ECA must now use fuel oil with a maximum sulphur content of 0.10% m/m, compared to the global limit of 0.50% m/m. This regulatory measure aims to significantly reduce air pollution and improve public health and environmental quality in the region.
The reduction in SOx emissions from shipping provides numerous health and environmental advantages:
Global ECA Framework
The Med SOx ECA is the fifth area designated under MARPOL Annex VI. Other established ECAs include:
In 2024, two additional ECAs were designated:
In April 2025, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) approved a proposal to designate the North-East Atlantic as a future ECA.
On 1 January 2020, MARPOL Annex VI introduced a new global limit of 0.50% sulphur content in marine fuel oil, down from 3.50%. This change resulted in an estimated 70% reduction in total sulphur oxide emissions from shipping.
For more information, refer to the IMO guidelines under MARPOL Annex VI.
Action Date: October 2025
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved a landmark set of draft regulations aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. These measures, endorsed during the 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) held from April 7–11, 2025, represent a significant advancement in global maritime decarbonization efforts.
Key Components of the IMO Net-Zero Framework
The approved framework introduces two pivotal elements:
These regulations will be incorporated into a new Chapter 5 of MARPOL Annex VI and are set to become mandatory for ocean-going vessels over 5,000 gross tonnage—accounting for approximately 85% of CO₂ emissions from international shipping. Formal adoption is anticipated in October 2025, with enforcement commencing in 2027.
Implementation Timeline
Implications for Surveyors and Technical Staff
Surveyors and technical personnel should put increased emphasis on accurate documentation and reporting of fuel usage and emissions data.
Other MEPC 83 outcomes
The meeting discussed a range of issues related to protecting the marine environment from shipping activities, with the following key outcomes:
A full meeting summary will be provided soon.
For more information please contact us at technical@phrs.gr .
As of February 25, 2025, Phoenix Register of Shipping is proud to announce its accreditation by the Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD) for assessment of FuelEU Monitoring plans and verifying FuelEU Maritime Reports.
A key pillar of the European Union’s Fit for 55 initiative, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, as a complementary regulation to the EU ETS, is designed to reduce EU emissions by 55% by 2030. It mandates that vessels calling at EU ports progressively lower the greenhouse gas intensity of their onboard energy use. Compliance relies on stringent monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) processes, including the submission of verified FuelEU Maritime Reports.
With a highly skilled team and a specialized Marine Environmental Sustainability Department, Phoenix Register of Shipping is fully equipped to support shipping companies in navigating the complexities of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. Our aim is to provide smooth and optimized verification services while supporting our clients' operations with maximum efficiency and minimal interference.
For more information please contact us at mes@phrs.gr and/or technical@phrs.gr .
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed Interim Guidelines for ships using ammonia as fuel. These guidelines aim to provide an international standard for the arrangement, installation, control, and monitoring of machinery, equipment, and systems utilizing ammonia as fuel, thereby minimizing risks to ships, their crews, and the environment. The guidelines are recommendatory in nature and apply to ships not covered by the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code).
As of December 2024, these Interim Guidelines were approved during the 109th session of the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109). However, the finalized guidelines have not yet been published as a standalone document. For reference, a draft version titled "INTERIM GUIDELINES FOR THE SAFETY OF SHIPS USING AMMONIA AS FUEL" is available here.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is advisable to consult the official IMO website or contact the IMO directly to obtain the finalized Interim Guidelines once they are published.
Following a thorough and extensive evaluation by the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) of the People's Republic of China, Phoenix Register of Shipping S.A. has been granted authorization to establish and operate a branch office in Qingdao. Qingdao is a key global maritime hub, ranking 4th worldwide in cargo volume due to its strategic location opposite South Korea and its easy accessibility for vessels of all types and sizes. PHRS maintains an extensive network of offices and inspectors worldwide, ensuring immediate and efficient support for the vessels under its supervision.
China enforces strict financial and technical criteria for foreign classification societies operating within its jurisdiction. This regulatory framework ensures that only credible, technically proficient, and well-equipped organizations can conduct inspections in full compliance with international conventions and national regulations. Phoenix Register of Shipping’s approval to operate in China is a testament to our technical expertise and reliability.
A Rapidly Growing Organization
Founded in 2000 by a team of naval architects, Phoenix Register of Shipping S.A. has evolved into a leading Greek classification society with a strong global presence. The organization has earned notable authorizations from major maritime authorities, including Panama, Liberia, Palau, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Greece, covering vessels under national legislation.
Notably, Liberia and Panama are the two largest ship registries worldwide, and Phoenix Register of Shipping holds a unique distinction in Liberia as the only classification society authorized without being a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). Furthermore, we are the first European classification society (outside IACS) to secure operating authorization in China, marking a significant milestone in our global expansion.
Commitment to Excellence
This achievement highlights the organization's high level of technical competence and global compliance. The organization is implementing a highly complex and demanding restructuring plan to align its operations with the QUALITY SYSTEM of CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES (QSCS), the quality standard followed by IACS member classification societies. PHRS consistently maintains a strong performance in the evaluation mechanisms of Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU, testament to its commitment to high quality of services.
At its 81st session (18-22 March 2024), the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted amendments to Appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI under Resolution MEPC.385(81). These amendments enhance the reporting requirements for the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database (IMO DCS) by mandating the collection of more detailed fuel consumption and transport work data. The amendments also introduce new data points, including a more granular breakdown of fuel consumption and the reporting of transport work, which is vital for the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) decarbonization and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction objectives.
Amendments Overview
The key amendments to Appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI, as specified in MEPC.385(81), require ships to report the following:
Early Implementation of Amendments
Although the amendments to Appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI are set to officially enter into force on 1st August 2025, MEPC has invited Administrations to adopt these changes early from 1st January 2025. Early implementation will help generate more complete and detailed data to support the review of the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) framework.
As part of the early implementation, the following actions are required:
SEEMP Revisions and Guidance (MEPC.1/Circ.913)
The Guidance on the application of the amendments (MEPC.1/Circ.913) was approved at MEPC's 82nd session (30 September-4 October 2024) and provides detailed instructions on implementing the revised granularity of data and reporting requirements. Key points from the guidance include:
Conclusion
The early implementation of the amendments to Appendix IX of MARPOL Annex VI is an important step toward improving the accuracy and comprehensiveness of fuel oil consumption and transport work data reported to the IMO. Ship owners, operators, and other stakeholders are encouraged to begin the necessary updates to their SEEMP and reporting systems to ensure full compliance by the specified deadlines.
For further details, please refer to MEPC.1/Circ.913 for guidance on the application of these amendments and consult the official IMO resolutions for additional information.
For any queries or assistance, please contact mes@phrs.gr
PHRS Marine Environmental Sustainability Dept.
We are pleased to announce that as of July 1, 2024, Phoenix Register of Shipping has been successfully accredited by the Greek National Accreditation System (ESYD) as a verification body under the requirements of ΕΝ ISO/IEC 17029:2019 & ΕΝ ISO 14065:2022, for the provision of comprehensive services in compliance with the EU Regulation 2015/757 (EU-MRV) on monitoring, reporting, and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport.
Key Highlights:
For more information on how PHRS can assist your EU-MRV compliance needs, please submit your inquiry at technical@phrs.gr / mes@phrs.gr / mrv@phrs.gr .
On the upcoming occasion of Posidonia 2024 we are looking forward you to welcoming you at our booth 2.123 / Hall 2!
Where: Metropolitan Expo Centre
When: 3-7 June 2024
PHRS – Head Office.