A vital component of international trade and commerce, the marine sector is currently negotiating a changing regulatory environment that will affect its present and future. Looking ahead, the regulatory agenda for the maritime industry is dominated by a few important items.
Environmental sustainability is prioritised, with a focus on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and implementing environmentally friendly technologies. Safety is still the top priority, which is why authorities are enforcing strict regulations to reduce the risk of accidents and improve emergency response times.
In addition, regulatory authorities are being prompted to reevaluate and reinforce international collaboration due to the changing geopolitical situation and its effect on marine security. To ensure a sustainable, secure, and technologically advanced future in this era of radical change, players in the marine industry need to keep a close eye on and adjust to the developing regulatory agenda.
EU ETS directive will start affecting shipping in 2024
The EU ETS directive has been revised by the legislative bodies of the EU to include shipping starting in 2024. This means that 40% of emissions in 2024 will be phased in over a three-year period, rising to 70% in 2025 and 100% in 2026. It will be applicable to offshore vessels above 5000 GT starting in 2027 and to cargo and passenger vessels over 5000 GT starting in 2024. The EU ETS will first regulate emissions of carbon dioxide, and starting in 2026, it will also regulate emissions of methane and nitrous oxide. In addition, ships that are 400–5000 GT in size and are classified as general cargo or offshore will have to report their emissions; these ships might eventually be added to the EU ETS.
EU MRV Regulation to extended to include methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O)
Therefore, starting on January 1, 2024, shipping companies are required to use the THETIS MRV module to monitor and report not just CO2 emissions but also methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. After being evaluated by a verifier, the updated monitoring plan must be submitted to the relevant Administering Authority for approval by April 1, 2024, at the latest. By 1 February 2024, and every 2 years after that, the European Commission will publish a list detailing each company’s attribution to the Administering Authority of a Member State.
IP Code mandatory for all cargo ships from July 2024
Starting in July 2024, all cargo ships must have an IP code.
A new required International Code for Safety for Ships Transporting Industrial Personnel (IP Code) has been adopted by the IMO. It is required by a brand-new SOLAS Chapter XV, which goes into effect on July 1, 2024. On or after July 1, 2024, the complete new code will be applicable to cargo ships and high-speed cargo craft that are:
- Of 500gt and upwards
- Engaged on international voyages
- Carrying more than 12 industrial personnel
- Constructed (keel laid) on or after 1 July 2024; or
- Existing vessels that are not certified to carry industrial personnel prior to 1 July 2024.
Maritime Single Window will be required as of January 2024
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced that as of January 1, 2024, ports worldwide must operate the Maritime Single Window for the exchange of information required at the point of a ship’s arrival, during its stay, and upon departure. The consequence of FAL Convention modifications, the shift is in accordance with international shipping’s ambitions to promote the sector’s decarbonization and digitization.
STCW under review: crucial dates to remember in 2024
The STCW Convention and Code will be reviewed by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in stages, with the goal of finishing the process by the fall of 2027.
Important dates for the major changes that are anticipated to be adopted by 2024 are listed below:
2024 February: HTW 10
- Complete the preliminary list of the areas that have been identified for evaluation.
- Complete the road map for the thorough examination of the STCW Code and Convention.
- settling on and approving a process for putting forward and reviewing changes to the STCW Convention and Code, as well as the date on which such changes will go into effect and how long it will take to finish updating the pertinent instruments.
- Invite suggestions for revisions to the STCW Convention and Code to ISWG-STCW 1, subject to MSC 108’s acceptance of the areas specified and, if relevant, the process for submitting and debating amendments.
- Considering the possibility of holding a virtual correspondence group meeting or an intersessional working group (ISWG) meeting and agreeing to the terms of reference.
- HTW 10’s report to MSC 108
MSC 108 in May 2024
- Approval of the preliminary list of certain topics that will be examined.
- approving a schedule for the thorough examination of the STCW Convention and Code.
- acceptance of a process for putting forward and taking into account changes to the STCW Convention and Code.
- Acceptance of ISWG-STCW 1’s meeting, if appropriate
2024 summer: Council 132
- Acceptance of the ISWG-STCW 1 meeting, if relevant.
2024 December: MSC 109
- Guidance to HTW 11 based on ISWGSTCW 1 results, if held prior to MSC 109, if relevant.
- deciding on the kind of meeting that will be used to approve changes to the thorough evaluation of the STCW Convention and Code.
AMSA: Revised Marine Order 12, which will go into effect on January 1, 2024
Effective from January 1st, there will be a revised version of Marine Order 12 (Construction — subdivision and stability, mechanical and electrical equipment). Marine Order 12 imposes further requirements for Regulated Australian Vessels that are offshore supply vessels, as well as globally standardized norms for vessel construction with regard to mechanical and electrical installations, stability and subdivision. In order to make sure they adhere to these requirements, foreign ships calling at Australian ports could be subject to a port State control inspection.
AMSA: Effective January 1, 2024, Revised Marine Order 27
On January 1, 2024, a revised version of Marine Order 27 pertaining to radio equipment, safety, urgency, and distress communication, as well as navigation safety measures and equipment, will go into force. Marine Order 27: Radio equipment and navigation safety Marine Order 27 (Safety of navigation and radio equipment) 2016 Compilation no. 3, Compilation date: January 1, 2020, is being reissued in 2023. Marine Order 27 lays forth the requirements for radio equipment, navigation safety measures and equipment, and danger, urgent, and distress signals and messages. It also gives effect to SOLAS Regulations relating to radiocommunications and safety of navigation.