Maritime News

Entry into force of the amendments to Appendix II of the Annex to the BWM Convention on the format of the Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB)

The IMO has adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI which introduce three new Emissions Control Areas (ECAs) for Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulphur Oxides (SOx).

The IMO has adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI concerning the requirements for using low-flashpoint fuels or gas fuels. This follows the 81st session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, which adopted these amendments by Resolution MEPC.385(81). The amendments enter into force on 1 August 2025.

The European Union has adopted Directive 2023/946, which amends the “water on deck” damage stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships in Directive 2003/25/EC. This new Directive is intended to align the EU’s stability requirements with the enhanced standards established by SOLAS 2020.

The 12th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12) was held in London from 27 to 31 January 2025. PPR 12 finalized guidance on in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling and guidelines on certification of Selective Catalytic Reduction systems. A wide range of other topics was on the agenda, including cargo tank cleaning procedures, carriage of biofuel blends, black carbon, discharge water from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems, sewage treatment and marine plastic litter.