IMO 2026 amendments and updates

A significant set of amendments to key International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaties and codes officially entered into force on January 1, 2026. These changes focus heavily on seafarer welfare, fire safety for Ro-Ro vessels, and environmental protection.
Here is a summary of the most critical 2026 amendments:

1. Seafarer Welfare & Training (STCW)
   New mandatory training requirements are now in effect to address social issues at sea.

• Harassment and Bullying: Amendments to the STCW Code (Table A-VI/1-4) require all seafarers to undergo basic training on preventing and responding to violence, harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying.
• Mental Health & Social Connectivity: Guidelines have been updated to encourage shipowners to provide internet access and ensure seafarers are informed of their rights regarding medical care and repatriation.

2. Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Updates
Several technical safety regulations for ship equipment and design have been updated:

• Lost Container Reporting: Masters are now legally required to report the loss of freight containers at sea immediately to nearby ships, the coastal state, and the flag state (SOLAS Chapter V).
• Electronic Inclinometers: New container ships and bulk carriers (3,000 GT and upwards) built on or after January 1, 2026, must be fitted with electronic inclinometers to monitor and record vessel roll motion.
• Lifting Appliances & Winches: A new SOLAS regulation (II-1/3-13) introduces mandatory requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of onboard lifting appliances and anchor-handling winches.
• Fuel Oil Safety: Suppliers must now provide a certified declaration that fuel meets SOLAS flashpoint requirements (minimum 60°C). The Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) must specify the flashpoint or state it is above 70°C.

3. Fire Safety (SOLAS & FSS Code)
Significant upgrades to fire detection and suppression, particularly for Ro-Ro ships:

• Ro-Ro Spaces: Mandatory video monitoring and improved fire detection (individually identifiable smoke and heat detectors) are required for vehicle and Ro-Ro spaces.
• PFOS Prohibition: The use and storage of firefighting foams containing Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) is now prohibited on all ships. Existing stocks must be phased out.

4. Environmental & Pollution (MARPOL)

• Garbage Record Books: The requirement to maintain a Garbage Record Book has been extended to smaller ships (100 GT and above, previously 400 GT).
• Emission Control Areas (ECAs): Increased granularity in fuel oil consumption reporting (via SEEMP) to support decarbonization goals.
• NOx Technical Code: Amendments regarding the certification of engines subject to substantial modifications or those using multiple operational profiles.