Regulatory Updates

Our regulatory news provides links to the websites of pertinent regulatory agencies to help keep you informed of the internationally recognized standards we assess against. 

ABS offers access to the best-in-class rules and regulatory apps through the ABS MyFreedom™ Client Portal. These innovative tools deliver additional value through a seamless customer experience.

Keeping you up-to-date on the most recent developments at the IMO, these lessons provide a summary of information to familiarize yourself with new and revised regulations under the major IMO conventions and codes.

The second edition of Regulatory Trends and Impact provides a comprehensive summary of the regulatory developments from the International Maritime Organization, including the latest adopted and expected regulations, along with key developments at regional and country-specific levels.

FuelEU Maritime Regulation is a technical measure that aims to decarbonize maritime transport in the EU.

EU ETS is a cap-and-trade system market-based-measure (MBM) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in the scope of the EU’s “Fit for 55” package. Starting from 2025, shipping companies have to surrender sufficient EU emission allowances.

The European Union (EU) has developed “Fit for 55” aimed to pave the way to the 2030 GHG emissions target. In global comparison, it is considered one of the most pioneering and ambitious regulatory frameworks.

In the 2021 Guidelines on the Shaft / Engine Power Limitation System to Comply with the EEXI requirements and Use of a Power Reserve, the IMO defines measures to limit the propulsion power to be considered in the EEXI calculation. The guidelines also define the two different power limitation methods: Engine Power Limitation (EPL) and Shaft Power Limitation (ShaPoLi). 

“Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance” (VID-NSP), establishes federal standards of performance for marine pollution control devices applicable to discharges into U.S. waters and the contiguous zone.

As technologies have expanded and automation systems have become more complex and integrated between systems, the probabilities for cyber-attacks increase, along with their potential effects on personnel, data, safety of people and vessels and the environment. The need for robust cybersecurity programs has become a critical component to the overall operations of marine assets.

The California Air Resource Board’s (CARB) 2020 At-Berth Regulation for vessels went into effect on January 1, 2023, and ABS assembled a directory of California terminals required to comply with these regulations. 

This matrix provides a summary of SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line, AFS and BWM Requirements to be complied within 2025 and beyond for all ship types.  

Learn about the kind of issues Port State Control inspectors focus on during inspections in different ports, or prepare with our interactive port state control reference checklist.

This chart shows ABS’ statutory authorization to perform, plan, review, carry out surveys and issue necessary certificates or statements of compliance under various flag administrations. 

ABS established this website to provide a helpful resource to our clients and suppliers as you navigate the fluid global trade and sanctions regulatory landscape.

This quick reference guide and associated checklist are recommended to be used by the  crew in preparation of the  vessel’s arrival into port.

The IMO requires that all new bulk carriers and oil tankers, 150m in length or above and contracted after July 1, 2016, store critical ship construction drawings and related IP in a Goal Based Standard compliant Ship Construction File. To support industry compliance, ABS developed a cloud-based, secure platform, the ABS SCF Archive, which helps owners and operators meet the IMO requirements. 

In June 2023, the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted Resolution MSC.532(107), which amends the SOLAS Convention by introducing new regulations II-1/2 and II-1/3-13. These regulations focus on onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches.