Maritime News January 2026
From new global crew welfare requirements to regional fishing agreements and small-vessel certification updates. These developments represent a step forward in operational safety, sustainability and compliance readiness.
Urgent Deadline for Fishing Vessel Exemption 31
Exemption 31 allows individuals with expired “pre-USL Code” certificates to continue working on domestic commercial fishing vessels. To maintain this privilege, AMSA requires all eligible holders to re-apply and receive a new formal approval before the end of this month. This process includes a mandatory declaration of medical fitness and evidence of continued work in the industry, ensuring that long-term participants meet modern safety oversight standards.
What it means for operators: Skippers and crew using expired historical certificates must submit their application immediately or risk being unable to work legally after January 31. Operators should check their crew lists to ensure all personnel relying on this exemption have their updated AMSA approval on file. 🔗 Read more
2025-26 National Compliance Plan Released
The 2025-26 plan signals a shift toward proactive risk management for domestic commercial vessels (DCVs). Priorities for the coming months include targeted inspections of lithium-ion battery risks, lifejacket wear rates, and the implementation of effective Safety Management Systems (SMS). There is also a renewed focus on “fatigue management” for crews on smaller service and fishing vessels to reduce human-error incidents.
What it means for operators: Operators should expect surveyors and inspectors to pay closer attention to how lithium batteries are stored and managed on board. Now is the time to review your SMS for fatigue-mitigation strategies and ensure lifejacket servicing records are easily accessible for inspection. 🔗 Read the National Compliance Plan
Australia: Proposed changes to NSCV Part C4 (Fire Safety)
AMSA is consulting on proposed updates to NSCV Part C4, which sets fire safety requirements for domestic commercial vessels. The changes aim to improve clarity, align requirements with international standards, and address emerging risks, including updated expectations around fire detection, suppression systems and equipment standards.
What does it mean for operators?
Operators may need to review their fire safety arrangements, equipment specifications and onboard procedures once the changes are finalised. Keeping clear, up-to-date records of fire safety systems, maintenance and servicing will be important to demonstrate compliance during future surveys and inspections. 🔗 Read more and have your say
Drone Surveillance in Marine Parks vs illegal fishing in “Green Zones”
New long-range drones equipped with thermal imagery are being deployed day and night across the Great Barrier Reef and Northern Australia to detect unauthorised activity. This follows a $25 million extension of the Ghost Nets Initiative, aimed at removing abandoned fishing gear from sensitive coastlines. Authorities have warned that even recreational fishers could face fines of $3,300 for unintentional incursions into no-take zones.
What it means for operators: Charter and commercial fishing operators must strictly adhere to the latest “Know Your Zones” maps to avoid thermal detection by aerial surveillance. Tour operators are encouraged to report any sightings of ghost nets or marine debris to support the national cleanup initiative. 🔗 Read more
Fuel and Engine Requirements for Domestic Ships (under 400GT)
This guidance clarifies the implementation of Part 199, focusing on air pollution prevention for the domestic commercial fleet. It outlines specific requirements for sulfur content in fuel and NOx (nitrogen oxide) emission standards for marine diesel engines. The guide is designed to help owners of smaller commercial vessels navigate environmental regulations that were previously often associated only with much larger international ships.
What it means for operators: Owners of vessels under 400GT must verify that any engine replacements or major conversions comply with the new NOx emission limits. Operators should also ensure their fuel procurement processes are updated to meet the specific sulfur cap requirements outlined in the Part 199 guide. 🔗 Read more
New Entry-Level Skipper Certificated for small vessel operators
Designed for vessels under six meters, this new qualification allows operators to carry up to six workmates within two nautical miles of the shore during daylight hours. It fills a regulatory gap for low-risk commercial activities where traditional skipper tickets were over-specified. Additionally, new guidance was released this month for “Non-Commercial Use” of commercial vessels, clarifying the safety procedures required when a work boat is used for private pleasure.
What it means for operators: Small-scale fishing and service operators can now utilise a more streamlined certification path for junior staff. Owners using work vessels for weekend recreation must ensure their Maritime Transport Operator Plan (MTOP) explicitly covers non-commercial use and that all powered gear is isolated. 🔗 Read more
Compliance for ports and marine facilities launches
A proactive opportunity for all ports and marine facilities to review, assess, and demonstrate proportional alignment with the code. Enforcing standards and “embedding a culture of safety” among ports and marine facilities is the drive behind a newly launched compliance exercise. The Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC) is the foundation of safe and efficient maritime operations across the UK. From large commercial ports to local harbours, the code provides a framework that ensures the safety of people, vessels, cargo, and the environment.
What it means: A compliance exercise launched by the MCA is an invitation for facilities to demonstrate their compliance with the code will be live for three months. While not mandatory, compliance with the code ensures that every facility is doing its part to reduce risk and operate responsibly. 🔗 Read more
Consultation on New Safety Standards for Workboats on the WBC3
This update aims to address technical gaps identified in the operation of small workboats, including those supporting offshore wind farms and aquaculture. The proposed changes focus on enhanced stability requirements for vessels carrying heavy equipment and stricter fire suppression standards for engine rooms. It also introduces new “equivalent standards” for innovative battery-electric propulsion systems now appearing in the domestic workboat fleet.
What it means: Operators of workboats under 24m. 🔗 Read more
MCA inspection emphasises SMS and digital records
Updated guidance MGN 710, clarifying expectations for Safety Management Systems for small workboats and pilot boats. The guidance reinforces that Safety Management Systems must be actively implemented, routinely reviewed, and supported by clear operational evidence, rather than existing solely as documented procedures. This reflects a broader regulatory direction across the maritime sector, with increasing emphasis on demonstrable, effective safety management in day-to-day operations. 🔗 Read more
New Rules for Fishing in EU Waters by MMO
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has confirmed that UK vessels must now comply with stricter requirements for marking passive gear (pots, nets, and lines) and increased electronic reporting. Vessels over 12 meters must now complete electronic logbooks for every fishing operation on a haul-by-haul basis. Furthermore, VMS reporting frequency has been increased from every two hours to every 30 minutes when fishing within or near “restricted areas” to protect marine habitats.
What it means for operators: Skippers must immediately ensure all passive gear is permanently labelled with vessel registration numbers. Operators should verify that their VMS units are updated with the latest geo-fencing software to handle the mandatory increase in reporting frequency automatically. 🔗 Read more
IMO Global: Mandatory Seafarer Welfare & Fishing Safety
Strengthening safety through improved training and certification of fishing vessel personnel
Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 (STCW-F Convention), together with the new mandatory STCW-F Code, entered into force on 1 January 2026.
The changes introduce harmonised qualification standards and establish minimum competence requirements, reflecting the evolving needs of the fishing industry.
Safety of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches
A new SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 sets requirements for the design, operation, inspection, testing and maintenance of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches. Two supporting guidelines have been issued to aid implementation: MSC.1/Circ.1662 (anchor handling winches) and MSC.1/Circ.1663 (lifting appliances). 🔗 Read the full press release
Preventing and responding to bullying, harassment and sexual assault
Amendments to the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code) strengthen how the maritime sector prevents and responds to violence and harassment, including bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault. The changes are included in table A-VI/1-4, outlining minimum competence standards for personal safety and social responsibilities, including guidance on incident prevention and response.
Mandatory reporting of lost containers: Amendments to the MARPOL, SOLAS Conventions.
Containers lost overboard can be a serious hazard to navigation and safety at sea as well as to the marine environment.
MARPOL: The amendments to article V of Protocol I of the MARPOL Convention (Provisions concerning reports on incidents involving harmful substances) add a new paragraph to say that “In case of the loss of freight container(s), the report required by article II (1) (b) shall be made in accordance with the provisions of SOLAS regulations V/31 and V/32”.
SOLAS: The amendments to SOLAS chapter V (Safety of navigation), address in particular regulation 31 (Danger messages) and require the master of every ship involved in the loss of freight container(s) to communicate the particulars of such an incident to ships in the vicinity, to the nearest coastal State, and also to the flag State which is required to report the incident to IMO. The amendments also address regulation 32 (Information required in danger messages), specifying the information to be reported, including position, number of containers lost, etc.
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