The global energy landscape reached a historic turning point in 2025. According to the latest Global Energy Review 2026 by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world has officially entered the «Age of Electricity». While total energy demand growth slowed to 1.3%, electricity demand surged at more than twice that rate.
The 2025 edition of DNV’s Maritime Forecast to 2050 arrives at a pivotal moment for the shipping industry.
Stakeholders across the maritime value chain should start preparing early and investigate all solutions for finding cost-effective decarbonization strategies that align with the complex regulatory landscape for GHG emissions.
In a significant decision, the International Maritime Organization’s 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC83) has approved the creation of a new Emission Control Area (ECA) in the North-East Atlantic Ocean. This ECA introduces stricter regulations on emissions from ships, with considerable benefits for both environmental protection and public health. It will be the world’s largest ECA to date.
Secretary General of International Ship Engineering Service (ISES) Association will be part of the European Shipping Summit in Brussels organized by the European Shipowners Association (ECSA) on the 19th & 18th of March.
The software for satellite market is experiencing significant growth, driven by several key factors such as the increasing demand for satellite-based services, advancements in satellite technology, the rise of commercial space exploration, and the growing need for real-time data analysis and satellite management solutions.
This second edition of the European Maritime Transport Environmental Report (EMTER 2025) examines the progress made towards achieving Europe′s decarbonisation targets and environmental goals for the maritime sector while indicating the most important trends, key challenges, and opportunities.
Key issues that MSC is considering at the moment include the development of a safety regulatory framework supporting the reduction of GHG using alternative fuels and new technologies, and developing a Code for maritime autonomous ships.
Region-wise, North America recorded the largest spike in average container prices (40 ft high cube cargo-worthy), with a 20% increase over the past 90 days.
In contrast, prices in China remained stable, showing no significant hikes.
On 1 August 2025, amendments to MARPOL Annex VI Appendix IX will take effect, requiring ships to report additional fuel oil consumption data, including breakdowns by consumer type, non-underway usage, and innovative technologies. Adopted through IMO Resolution MEPC.385(81), these changes aim to enhance environmental accountability and efficiency.
Quality standards, safety management, the human element and safety culture all have a high profile within the maritime industry and feature prominently in the work of IMO aimed at improving performance by focusing on people
Maritime Forecast to 2050 is one out of DNV’s suite of Energy Transition Outlook reports. This latest edition provides an independent outlook of the technologies and fuels of shipping’s energy future.
Each year on June 25, the global maritime community pauses to celebrate seafarers, who deliver 90 percent of all international trade. Seafarers work around the clock in a challenging industrial environment, and they leave their families for up to a year at a time in pursuit of their career.
A consortium led by UK investment company STAR Capital has purchased V.Group, the shipmanagement conglomerate headquartered in London. The new ownership group includes Dutch holding company Ackermans & van Haaren (AvH), the majority owner of dredging giant DEME.
VesselsValue unveils this year’s top 10 shipowning nations, reviewing the total asset values for vessels by beneficial owner country. From Japan’s resolute leadership in the top position with a US$206.3 billion fleet to the emergence of Hong Kong at US$44.7 billion, asset values and ownership strategies have changed considerably over the last 12 months.
Today, China has 18% of the world’s population, uses 26% of global primary energy, emits 33% of global energy-related CO2, and is by far the leading installer of renewables. The energy transition in China is critical to its future and to the success of the global energy transition.
A set of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the associated Codes are entering into force in 2024. This article highlights the changes that have been adopted for the 2024 update of SOLAS and its associated Codes.
IMO MSC 105 adopted amendments SOLAS chapter II-1, III, IV and V, the appendix (Certificates) and the 1988 SOLAS Protocol (Certificates); through resolution MSC.496(105) and resolution MSC.497(105). The amendments enter into force on 1 January 2024.
This article provides information about amendments entering into force in December 2023, as well as in the subsequent years of 2024, 2025, and 2026.
The past year has certainly been a year of notable highs and lows across the shipping industry, with the dry bulk sector being no exception. A major talking point of the past 12 months, as has been the case for some time now, is the journey to decarbonization and INTERCARGO welcomed the revised greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy from IMO Member States in July (MEPC80).
The in-depth report, which analyses Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) data captured by Inmarsat Maritime, registered 853 distress calls from January to December 2022 – up from 794 in 2021.
The 2025 edition of DNV’s Maritime Forecast to 2050 arrives at a pivotal moment for the shipping industry.
Stakeholders across the maritime value chain should start preparing early and investigate all solutions for finding cost-effective decarbonization strategies that align with the complex regulatory landscape for GHG emissions.
Chinese officials are highlighting new research from the UK-based Clarkson Research Service that shows that China has become the world’s largest shipowner based on gross tonnage surpassing Greek shipowners which have been the largest for the past decade.
The first generation of containerships was composed of modified bulk vessels or tankers that could transport up to 1,000 TEUs. The first containership, the “Ideal-X” was a converted World War II T2 tanker. At the beginning of the 1960s, the container was a transport technology being tested and gradually deployed, and reconverting existing ships proved to be of lower costs and less risky.
According to Inmarsat’s ‘The Optimal Route research’, though digital decarbonisation technologies can help, shipping can achieve up to 38% reduction in absolute carbon emissions.
DNV and Lloyds Register has published a report containing the Maritime Safety Trends 2012–2022Maritime Safety Trends 2012–2022
The International Maritime Organization has published a circular containing the annual report on acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships for the year 2022.
This report (MSC.4/Circ.267) was published on April 19th, 2023.
A growing order book for methanol-fuelled ships shows that the shipping industry sees methanol as a promising alternative fuel.
Relying on decades of expertise in the field, DNV explains important criteria to consider.
Hamburg-based ship finance platform, Oceanis, predicts ship financing costs for 2023 in a new quarterly report.
This year looks set to be a positive year for shipowners seeking finance according to the report.
The ICC IMB’s annual report recorded 115 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2022 – compared to 132 in 2021 – with half of them occurring in Southeast Asian waters, particularly in the Singapore Straits, where incidents continue to rise.
Listed here below are updates on the Statutory IMO requirements.
MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV, V and VI – regional reception facilities within Arctic waters: Amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II, IV and VI were adopted to provide for regional arrangements as an acceptable way to satisfy MARPOL obligations to provide port reception facilities that cover ports within Arctic waters.
In terms of fleet value, Japan has moved back up to 1st after falling to 2nd last year, currently owning a total of USD 196.6 bn in assets. This is an increase of c. USD 9 bn year on year and is largely due to the current boom in the LNG sector.
As the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) reports a high demand for its helpline services over the last year, it is clear that accessible welfare and support services for seafarers worldwide remain a priority for the maritime industry.
The development and introduction of MASS is happening. To ensure their safe and secure operation it is important that regulations are updated to keep pace with innovation..
Nearly all world industries rely heavily on maritime shipping. Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki‑moon once quipped, “Maritime transport is the backbone of global trade and the global economy.” Maritime shipping is also considered one of the safest and most environmentally-friendly modes of goods transportation.
Open letter from WSC CEOs to IMO Member State Governments
CEOs of global container and roro carriers appeal to governments: “Broad political action critical for shipping industry to meet climate challenge.”
The Sub-Committee addresses all aspects of safety of navigation, reliable communications and improved coordination to avoid maritime accidents; and ensuring a quick and efficient response in case of a search and rescue incident.
On 28 April, we celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This has always been an important day for the maritime sector and for the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is responsible for the safety and security of shipping. This day is particularly significant in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The enduring feature of cyber threats is their ability to adapt and evolve, with new lines of attack developed as barriers are put in place, and strategies to expose vulnerabilities constantly emerging.
During MEPC 75 in November 2020, the IMO approved amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, introducing an Energy Efficiency Design Index for existing ships (EEXI). Subject to adoption at MEPC 76 in June 2021, the requirements will enter into force in 2023
2021 ushers in a new cyber era for the shipping industry with the introduction of the requirement to address cyber risks in a vessel’s safety management system. This is just one of the many regulations that enter into force this year.
2020 has been the year that all the maritime industry anticipated with mixed feelings due to the implementation of sulphur cap. Although all lights were shed on COVID-19 , once again the regulatory agenda was busy within 2020 in order the maritime industry to stay on the pulse and remain sustainable.
Message from our new President, Mr. Marcus Tan
This guidance provides information for shipowners and operators on managing ship and seafarer certificates during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It covers ship and seafarer certificates required by the certification provisions of international regulations, such as those of International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) instruments, and highlights the current unique compliance issues and considerations relating to ship and seafarer certificates.
The stress and anxiety surrounding hashtag#COVIDー19 has taken its toll across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has come up with several strategies to help everyone cope with what is an undeniably challenging time.
Kitack Lim has been given a second four-year term as Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Shipowners have ordered or installed scrubbers for nearly 1,000 vessels as the uptake in exhaust gas cleaning systems rapidly accelerates ahead of the 1 January 2020 0.5% global sulphur cap from the IMO.
According to the Exhaust Gas Cleaning System Association (EGCSA) the number of ships with scrubbers either installed or on order stood at 983 as of 31 May this year.
Maritime law makers faces stiff challenges in their work on the future of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, writes Aline de Bièvre
This document published by LR, summarizes the most important IMO/ ILO requirements entering into force.
Any breakdown of the world fleet into ship type, ownership or any other parameter can only ever be a snapshot because it changes constantly as ships are scrapped, newbuildings delivered and vessels change hands all the time.
European Maritime safety Agency has issued the Annual Overview of Marine Casualties and Incidents. It consists in a high-level analysis of accidents reported by the EU Member States in European Marine Casualty Information Platform (EMCIP).
AMI Group Member TMQ International Pty Ltd are now ISO 9001:2015 QA compliant, having completed their Audit successfully on the 5th October 2017.
What’s on the regulatory agenda (Including news from 71th session of MEPC, 98th session of MSC and 29th IMO Assembly)
Cyber security is not just about preventing hackers gaining access to systems and information, potentially resulting in loss of confidentiality and/or control. It also addresses the maintenance of integrity and availability of information and systems, ensuring business continuity and the continuing utility of digital assets and systems.
Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 71 was a very busy week and ship owners can now benefit from having a firm view of the regulatory timeline for complying with the latest global require-ments for managing the ballast water from their vessels. Unfortunately, the timeline remains very crowded and for owners with ships trading to and from the U.S., compliance is more complicated.
The Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided to extend the time for compliance with the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention. As a result, only vessels built after its entry into force on September 8, 2017 will immediately be subject to the new ballast water performance standard.
Inmarsat said it has made progress on gaining IMO approval to expand mandated safety communications to its more modern services of FleetBroadband and Fleet One. It is hopeful that IMO will allow these services to become part of the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) that is compulsory for shipping.
Over the next decade, the shipping industry will be impacted by a wide array of shipping regulations. These regulations aim to ensure that this vital sector is environmentally sound, energy efficient, safe and secure.
The International Association of Classification Societies is pleased to announce the release of the 2017 edition of its IACS Blue Book. The latest release of the Blue Book package continues to enhance IACS technical support to the shipping industry through our work and investment in technology, innovation, research and development both at the classification and statutory levels.
the Ballast Water Management Convention, adopted in 2004, aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another, by establishing standards and procedures for the management and control of ships’ ballast water and sediments
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted the mandatory requirements for the electronic exchange of information on cargo, crew and passengers as part of a revised and modernized annex to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL).
Over half of ships trading internationally are living with ECDIS, according to the latest figures published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO).
