Your morning briefing.

PSC preparation: Alpha Bulkers reports fewer deficiencies

A RightShip case study describes Alpha Bulkers’ combination of crew preparation, maintenance reviews and port-specific PSC risk information. The company reports its average deficiencies per inspection fell from about 2.40 in 2025 to 1.4 by September 2026, with no detentions in 2026 to that point. These are company-reported results.

Methanol safety guidelines revised; MSC approval still to follow

IMO’s CCC 12 subcommittee finalized revisions to methanol and ethanol fuel safety guidance, covering tank placement, ventilation, bunkering and protective equipment. It also finalized lashing-software guidance. DNV notes that subcommittee decisions on rules and dates remain subject to consideration and approval by the Maritime Safety Committee.

SIRE 2.0: check four prerequisites before requesting an inspection

OCIMF’s operator help article, updated on 30 September, lists four prerequisites for requesting a SIRE 2.0 inspection: the vessel must be designated as a tanker, have a photograph template assigned, and have published HVPQ6 and PIQ documents. If the inspection option is missing, operators should check these vessel settings first.

Bosaso port security workshop sets out coordination roadmap

IMO reports that a September workshop in Bosaso, Somalia, brought port and government agencies together on security planning, information sharing and incident response. Participants developed draft terms of reference and a roadmap for a multi-agency Port Security Advisory Committee. The activity supports practical application of ISPS and SOLAS requirements.

RightShip outlines work on an AI-assisted PSC checklist

In a September interview, RightShip product manager Amine Badry describes plans for an AI-powered checklist that groups related deficiencies and makes crew guidance more concise. The interview also covers AIS-based voyage preparation and fleet benchmarking. The checklist is described as product development; the article does not establish a general release date.

RightShip’s next inspection age trigger: 10.5 years in January 2027

RightShip’s revised Phase 4 notice says its inspection age trigger will apply to dry bulk and general cargo vessels aged 10.5 years from 20 January 2027. The amendment is dated 26 May 2026. Older material shows a different rollout, so operators should refer to the revised programme notice when planning inspections.

Target / effective date 20 Jan 2027 · RightShip dry bulk / general cargo vetting; commercial programme

Caribbean ferry workshop focuses on regulation and preparedness

An IMO-led workshop in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, examined domestic ferry safety frameworks, training and emergency preparedness. Representatives discussed classification and national use of IMO model legislation. The workshop ran from 28 to 30 September. The report describes regional capacity building and does not announce a new binding international rule.

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen: resilience belongs in the energy transition

In a publicly indexed post reflecting on ONS 2026, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen connects energy security, cyber resilience and trust across increasingly digital systems. He emphasizes partnerships and resilience alongside technology and investment. This is leadership commentary; an exact publication date could not be verified from the accessible post.

Updated EU Marine Equipment rules are now in force

EU Implementing Regulation 2026/1434 has applied since 31 August, updating requirements and test standards for existing marine equipment under the Marine Equipment Directive. DNV says declarations of conformity issued after that date must cite the new regulation, and some products may need additional testing. A transition for certain nationally approved equipment runs to 23 September 2028.

Applies from 31 Aug 2026 · EU-flagged vessels and marine-equipment supply chain

IMO’s voluntary MASS Code is effective; mandatory code work continues

IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted the non-mandatory Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, effective from 1 July 2026. Lloyd’s Register reports that work continues on a mandatory code, including an experience-building phase, with entry into force expected in 2032. The present code is guidance and should not be described as a binding autonomous-ship regime.

Target / effective date 1 Jul 2026 · IMO; voluntary MASS Code, with mandatory code under development

PSC machinery guidance advances toward the 2027 procedures

IMO’s III 12 subcommittee progressed draft changes to the Procedures for Port State Control, including guidance for inspectors on machinery and maintenance and revised PSCO qualification requirements. Lloyd’s Register says the 2027 edition is planned to take effect on 1 January 2028. The work is still progressing through the IMO process.

Target / effective date 1 Jan 2028 · IMO port State control procedures; draft 2027 edition

New IACS welding standards enter class rules in January

Lloyd’s Register has updated its materials rules to align with three IACS Unified Requirements covering hull steels, high-strength welded structures and welding procedure qualification tests. The standards enter into force on 1 January 2027. Existing LR-accepted welding procedure specifications and qualification records remain valid within their approved ranges and conditions.

Target / effective date 1 Jan 2027 · Lloyd’s Register rules aligned with IACS UR W11, W16 and W28

IMO marine-dumping treaty meetings begin 5 October

IMO’s meeting calendar lists LC 48 and LP 21 for 5–9 October. The London Convention and Protocol meetings cover ocean dumping, permitted-waste assessment, marine geoengineering and carbon capture and storage. Agendas and submissions become available through IMO’s public document system; outcomes should be treated as pending until the meeting concludes.

ABS partnership targets digital-twin testing for ammonia leaks

ABS, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Siemens signed an agreement to combine computational fluid dynamics with digital-twin technology for ammonia-fuel safety. The project aims to predict dispersion across leak and accident scenarios early in vessel design. HD KSOE will develop safety systems and experiments, Siemens will provide simulation tools, and ABS will develop the assessment method.

Study tests the economics of nuclear-powered LNG carriers

ABS, Blossom Energy and a shipping company studied a 174,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier using a 20–25 MWe high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. ABS says initial investment was estimated at about 2.5 times a conventional carrier, while lifecycle fuel costs could fall substantially. The study also considered reusing the reactor on a second vessel.

ABS approves 100 MW floating power-plant concept

ABS granted approval in principle to HD KSOE for a 100 MW barge-mounted power plant designed to serve data centres and industrial facilities. The class review covered the basic concept, electrical single-line diagram and stability assessment. The design uses medium-speed gas engines and would transmit electricity from the offshore unit to users ashore.

Australia releases a five-year national search-and-rescue plan

Australia’s National Search and Rescue Council released its 2026–31 strategic plan. AMSA says the plan sets priorities for stronger national alignment, people and capability across Commonwealth, state, territory, defence, industry and volunteer services. It is a coordination strategy rather than a new operating regulation for ships.

Rotterdam refreshes its container-port performance dashboard

The Port of Rotterdam updated its public performance dashboard on 2 October. It tracks container-vessel calls, anchorage waiting, throughput, time in port, time at berth and liner-service connections using port-dues and AIS data. The dashboard is intended to support planning, communication and just-in-time arrival decisions and is updated in the first week of each month.

Maasvlakte road access remains restricted at Suurhoffbrug

The Port of Rotterdam says traffic toward Maasvlakte can continue using the old Suurhoffbrug’s hard shoulder after follow-up inspections. Preparatory works for possible two-way traffic on the newer bridge continue. From 6 to 8 October, only one lane toward Rotterdam is expected to be available on the new bridge. Shipping and freight rail are unaffected.

Antwerp-Bruges begins Hansa Dock quay renewal

Port of Antwerp-Bruges reports that work began in September to renew quays 231 and 239 and reconfigure the inlet dock at Hansa Dock. The project also extends the concession area. The port listed the update on 25 September as part of its investments and concessions programme.

Singapore plans AI-assisted ship-registration system for 2027

MPA will launch an end-to-end ship-registration system in the first half of 2027, covering application through certificate issuance and using AI to support vetting and processing. Standard applications are expected to move from as much as three working days to a few minutes. Industry pilots are planned before launch.

Australia’s reissued vessel-helicopter order takes effect

AMSA’s Marine Order 57 (Helicopter operations) 2026 took effect on 1 October. It applies to regulated Australian vessels and foreign vessels conducting helicopter transfers, landings, take-offs, loading, unloading or refuelling. The order updates references to the latest ICS Guide and clarifies documentation of divergences and deck load information for the master.

Applies from 1 Oct 2026 · Regulated Australian vessels and foreign vessels in applicable Australian operations