INTELLIGENCE FILE · REGULATION
IMO & Regulation
IMO policy, emissions rules, safety standards, compliance, regional regulation and shipping decarbonisation.
0updates · 7d
1updates · 30d
1analysis pieces
12key entities
LATEST VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
IMO chief says shipping cannot abandon LNG investment overnight
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said governments renegotiating global shipping emissions rules must consider the industry’s existing investment in LNG.
EXECUTIVE SNAPSHOT
Key developments
STORY TIMELINE
How the story evolved
CORE · KEY · relevance 53IMO chief says shipping cannot abandon LNG investment overnightIMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said governments renegotiating global shipping emissions rules must consider the industry’s existing investment in LNG.
CORE · KEY · relevance 43IMO CCC 12 finalizes revised methanol fuel safety guidelinesIMO’s CCC 12 sub-committee finalized revised interim safety guidelines for ships using methyl and ethyl alcohol fuels, while advancing work on low-flashpoint fuels, onboard carbon capture and cargo safety provisions.
CORE · relevance 46IMO talks advance shipping Net-Zero Framework despite carbon-pricing divideIMO member states have kept the proposed Net-Zero Framework as the basis for further negotiations, although countries remain divided over its global carbon-pricing and revenue provisions. Talks are scheduled to resume in November ahead of consideration by MEPC 85 and an expected extraordinary adoption meeting.
CORE · relevance 52IMO Net-Zero Framework Survives Latest Round of Climate NegotiationsThe IMO’s proposed global shipping emissions framework remains the leading option after four days of technical talks in London, despite opposition to its carbon pricing and revenue mechanisms from the United States and several oil-producing countries.
CORE · relevance 41IMO Backs ATLAS Initiative on Safe Nuclear Technologies at SeaThe IMO joined the IAEA’s launch of the ATLAS initiative in Washington, D.C., supporting international dialogue on the legal, safety, security, safeguards and liability frameworks required for potential maritime nuclear applications.
CORE · relevance 62IMO advances emissions talks and adopts North-East Atlantic control areaIMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee has agreed on further negotiations over the Net-Zero Framework, adopted a North-East Atlantic Emission Control Area and approved measures covering plastic litter, ballast water and marine pollution risks.
IMPACT · relevance 27IAPH and IHMA launch Port Call Optimization Guide at IMOThe new guide promotes harmonized electronic exchange of nautical and operational data to support safer, more predictable and sustainable port calls. Its data sets have been tested in port-to-port trials.
ANALYSIS · relevance 46Freight Buyers Face Higher Complexity if IMO Net-Zero Vote FailsBaxter Freight’s Tom Isler argues that freight buyers, rather than only shipowners, have a direct stake in the IMO Net-Zero Framework vote, as failure could accelerate a patchwork of regional carbon schemes and less transparent surcharges.
CORE · relevance 41IMO expands Port State Control data exchange with Black Sea and Caribbean agreementsIMO has signed updated data-exchange agreements with the Black Sea and Caribbean Port State Control regimes, advancing plans for a global database designed to improve inspection-data sharing, transparency and risk-based planning.
IMPACT · relevance 32UGS calls for realistic global framework on shipping decarbonisationUnion of Greek Shipowners President Melina Travlos has urged IMO Member States to pursue a practical and globally supported approach to maritime decarbonisation, highlighting fuel availability, affordability and vessel energy efficiency ahead of ISWG-GHG 22 and MEPC 85.
CORE · relevance 41IMO urges action as piracy resurges in Gulf of AdenIMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called for the immediate and unconditional release of more than 90 seafarers held captive, warning that piracy and armed robbery are making the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters increasingly dangerous.
IMPACT · relevance 36IMO condemns fatal attack on tanker Settebello near Strait of HormuzIMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has condemned the attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello off Oman, which reportedly caused an onboard fire and killed three seafarers. The IMO has called for a full and transparent investigation.
CORE · relevance 41IMO condemns deadly attack on cargo ship TIHAMAH off YemenIMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has condemned the attack on the cargo ship TIHAMAH off Al Mokha, Yemen, which resulted in several confirmed seafarer deaths. He urged operators to assess transit risks and follow appropriate best management practices.
CORE · relevance 42IMO Adopts First Global Safety Code for Autonomous ShipsThe IMO has adopted a non-mandatory safety framework for AI-enabled, remotely operated and autonomous cargo ships. The MASS Code will take effect on 1 July 2026, ahead of planned work on binding requirements under SOLAS.
CORE · relevance 41IMO Council Calls for Unimpeded Navigation Through Strait of HormuzThe IMO Council has reaffirmed freedom of navigation and transit passage through international straits, while condemning attacks on civilian commercial ships around the Strait of Hormuz and urging regional de-escalation.
CORE · relevance 41IMO condemns attacks on merchant ships in Black Sea and Sea of AzovIMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has condemned a recent series of attacks on civilian merchant vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, calling on parties to geopolitical conflicts to protect seafarers, respect international law and safeguard freedom of navigation.