Sunset in CMA CGM CHAMPS ELYSEES’s bridge
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The UK government has introduced a series of updates to international maritime law designed to enhance safety at sea and reduce environmental pollution. The changes, which are set to come into force on 1 January 2026, will apply to a range of maritime activities including ship construction, crew training, and the prevention of marine contamination.
In a ministerial statement delivered on 16 December 2025, the government confirmed that the new regulations will implement amendments to several key international treaties. These include the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).
According to the official government transcript, the updates will introduce “enhanced design, maintenance, operation and testing standards” for heavy machinery on vessels, specifically targeting lifting appliances and anchor handling winches. The move follows agreements reached at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to modernise safety protocols across the global shipping fleet.
Further technical amendments include updates to the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other low-flashpoint fuels (IGF Code). These changes will specifically affect vessels constructed on or after the 1 January 2026 deadline. The government stated that these reforms are part of a commitment to ensure the UK remains “up to date with its international maritime obligations.”
Environmental protections are also being strengthened through a ban on certain persistent organic pollutants. As noted by the Department for Transport, the IMO High Speed Craft Code is being aligned with broader safety requirements to prohibit the use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in firefighting foams used on some vessels.
The update also includes a new mandatory reporting requirement for ships regarding the loss of freight containers. This is intended to improve transparency and environmental response when containers, particularly those holding harmful substances, are lost at sea.
To ensure the legislation remains relevant as international standards evolve, the government is making use of “ambulatory references.” This legal mechanism allows UK law to automatically update when minor technical changes are made to international instruments, reducing the need for new secondary legislation each time a standard is adjusted.
The ministerial statement concluded by noting that these advancements are expected to “significantly enhance operational safety, reduce cargo-related incidents, and support more informed decision-making during adverse sea conditions.”
While the 2026 changes focus on safety and pollution, they coincide with broader legislative wins for the sector. As reported by Nautilus International, the recent passage of the Employment Rights Bill has also secured new protections for seafarers, including the introduction of a mandatory Seafarers’ Charter, highlighting a period of significant regulatory reform for the UK’s maritime industry.