Planning & Infrastructure: Changes to Domestic Maritime Law – What Does This Mean for UK Operators?

As a result of changes to international law, several updates to maritime legislation have come into force in the UK as of 1 January 2026.

The International Maritime Organisation have made amendments to international maritime conventions, with a view to promoting safer and more environmentally responsible maritime practices. As a signatory to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), the Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and the Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), the amendments come into force by way of ambulatory reference provisions in UK domestic legislation.

The amendments are as follows:

1. Enhanced regulations for fire safety on ships have been introduced, including provisions relating to fire detection, fire suppression and the containment of fire;
2. New requirements for totally enclosed lifeboats have been put in place, mandating the provision of ventilation systems with airflow for 24 hours, as well as technical specifications for opening and closing mechanisms across lifeboat types;
3. Performance standards for lifejackets have been strengthened, requiring them to reliably turn an unconscious casualty into a safe orientation in the water;
4. A maritime ban on the use of PFOS (perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid), a persistent organic pollutant sometimes used as a firefighting medium, has been introduced;
5. There are new safety requirements for lifting appliances and anchor handling winches, including enhanced design, maintenance, operation and testing standards;
6. To address growing concerns over container loss and bulk cargo damage caused by excessing vessel roll motions, electronic inclinometers must be installed on newly built container ships and bulk carriers to record the ship’s roll motion;
7. New protocols mandate reporting the loss of freight containers, including containers containing harmful substances;
8. To decarbonise global shipping and reduce emissions, amendments have been made that enable the use of other liquified gas cargoes, in addition to methane, to be used as fuel onboard gas carriers;
9. To reduce fuel use and emissions, ships are required to report fuel use by engine type, use of shore power, distance travelled with cargo and any installed energy-saving technologies; and,
10. Seafarers must receive mandatory training on preventing and responding to violence and harassment.

This legislation applies to all operators of UK ships (including cargo carriers, fishing companies, cruise lines and offshore energy companies), who must ensure that they adhere to these new provisions to remain compliant with domestic maritime law.