Singapore Updates Maritime Rules for 2026 Compliance

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  • SOLAS Amendments Take Effect on 1 January 2026.
  • Lifting Gear, Firefighting Foam, and Inclinometer Rules Tightened.
  • Polar Code Scope Expanded to More Ship Types.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has released a circular outlining some important regulatory updates that will take effect at the beginning of next year. One significant change is that bunker suppliers will now need to provide a signed declaration to confirm that the fuel they deliver meets all required standards, reports Safety4Sea.

SOLAS Amendments Under MSC Resolutions

The International Maritime Organisation’s Maritime Safety Committee has approved several amendments to the SOLAS Convention, which will come into effect on January 1, 2026.

Fuel Safety and Pre-Bunkering Rules (MSC.520(106))

  1. Fuel suppliers are now required to provide a mandatory signed declaration.
  2. Bunker delivery notes must include details about the fuel’s flashpoint.
  3. The IMO needs to be informed about any confirmed cases of non-compliant fuel, and there will be penalties for those who violate this rule.

Lifting Gear, Firefighting, and Equipment Updates (MSC.532(107) & MSC.534(107))

  1. Lifting appliances and anchor handling winches must adhere to SOLAS design and maintenance standards.
  2. Firefighting foams that contain perfluorooctane sulfonic acid are now banned.
  3. Electronic inclinometers will be required on containerships and bulk carriers that are 3,000 GT or larger.
  4. Certain non-SOLAS ship types operating in polar waters have been added under the Polar Code.
  5. Updated SOLAS certificates will now include the term “containership” and specify details about immersion suits and inclinometers.

Fire Protection and Container-Loss Reporting (MSC.550(108))

  1. There are new rules for oil-fuel safety, fire detection, and structural protection systems across various ship categories.
  2. Mandatory reporting requirements have been established for freight containers that are lost at sea.

Merchant Shipping Regulations Updated

Singapore’s Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations will incorporate all four MSC resolutions.

MARPOL Amendments for Pollution Reporting

The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee has adopted amendments to Protocol I of MARPOL through Resolution MEPC.384(81), which will also take effect on January 1, 2026.

The update adds new procedures under Article V for reporting lost containers, aligned with SOLAS danger-message requirements. Singapore will incorporate these changes through amendments to the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Reporting of Pollution Incidents) Regulations.

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Source: Safety4Sea