BS Marine Consultants Pte Ltd, Singapore

05/06/2026

BSMC, an Expert solution for maritime confidence. Let us know what you need, and we'll do our best to provide the right solution for you.
We can perform 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭 for your vessel to meet 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐐 𝟑.𝟐 & 𝐒𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝟐.𝟎 requirements with our expertise.

06/05/2026

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐌𝐎 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔:

1. 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 & 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐒𝐓𝐂𝐖):Amendments to the STCW Code (Table A-VI/1-4) make training on preventing and responding to bullying, sexual harassment, and sexual assault mandatory for all seafarers, effective 1 January 2026.

2. 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 (𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐒): New SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 requires strict maintenance, inspection, and certification for onboard lifting appliances and anchor-handling winches, effective 1 January 2026.

3. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞-𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐦𝐬 (𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐒): Prohibition on the use or storage of fire-fighting foams containing Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Vessels must remove these, with compliance required by the first scheduled survey on or after 1 January 2026.

4. 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Mandatory for new-build container vessels and bulk carriers of 3,000 gross tonnage and above, effective 1 January 2026, to monitor and prevent cargo loss.

5. 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Amendments to MARPOL and SOLAS require the mandatory reporting of all lost containers, enhancing navigation safety and environmental awareness.

6. 𝐈𝐌𝐃𝐆 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: The 2024 Edition (Amendment 42-24) of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code becomes mandatory on 1 January 2026, including new regulations for lithium batteries and charcoal transport.

7. 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: A ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in Arctic waters takes effect from 1 July 2024 (with some exemptions delayed until 2029).

8. 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 (𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔):Amended regulations set new maximum and minimum lowering speeds for survival craft and rescue boats to reduce accidents, starting 1 July 2026.

9. 𝐔𝐊 𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will apply to maritime transport from 1 July 2026, requiring ships of 5,000 GT and above to report CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions, similar to the EU ETS.

𝐄𝐂𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬:
Revised performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) introduce a phased implementation of new International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) product specifications (i.e. S-98, S-100 and S-101) for ECDIS, including the capability of digital exchange of shipsʹ route plans. MSC.530(106)/Rev.1 applies to new ECDIS installations from 1 January 2026 on a voluntary basis, and for all new ECDIS installations from 1 January 2029.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬.

27/03/2026

27/03/2026

Attention to Bulk Carrier and General Cargo Ship Owner / Manager.

27/03/2026

For Junior Deck 👮‍♀️

27/03/2026

RightShip has introduced Phase 2 of its vessel age-based inspection requirements for dry bulk and general cargo vessels.

From 1 April 2026, vessels aged 12 years and above without a valid RightShip inspection will face a Safety Score downgrade to 2/5, significantly impacting vetting acceptance and chartering opportunities.

This forms part of RightShip’s phased approach to progressively lower inspection age thresholds, reinforcing higher safety and compliance standards across the industry.

👉 Owners and operators are strongly advised to ensure timely inspections and maintain up-to-date vessel condition assessments to avoid commercial and vetting disruptions.

We are here to support you in preparing for RightShip vetting and achieving a satisfactory result. Please feel free to contact us for assistance.
WhatsApp: +6591046872 or 9344 8139
Email: [email protected]

BS Marine Consultant is an established independent marine consultancy firm incorporated in Singapore.

01/02/2026

How does the world keep moving?

Ships! 🚢 Whether it’s transporting goods, carrying passengers on holiday, or supporting offshore energy, these vessels are essential globally. Here’s a quick guide to the 6 main types ruling the seas. ⚓️

Read the full article 👉 Link in comments!

20/08/2025

Emerging developments within the maritime industry.

Biofouling Management Framework:
IMO is developing mandatory global standards for hull biofouling to protect marine ecosystems.

Biofouling remains a significant vector for invasive aquatic species and impacts ship efficiency. Recognizing this, the IMO has agreed to develop a new, legally binding international framework for biofouling management. This decision builds upon the work of the GloFouling Partnerships Project, which concludes in 2025. The new framework aims to standardize hull cleaning and maintenance practices, support the implementation of the 2023 IMO Biofouling Guidelines, and ensure a coordinated global approach to protecting marine ecosystems.
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SOLAS PFOS Phase-Out:
From 1 January 2026, ships must replace PFOS-containing firefighting foams with safer alternatives.

Safety regulations continue to evolve with environmental considerations. Amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 will prohibit using and storing firefighting media containing perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid (PFOS) onboard vessels, effective January 1, 2026. PFOS, a type of PFAS or "forever chemical," poses environmental and health risks. Shipowners and operators must ensure all PFOS-containing foams, often found in Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), are replaced with approved, PFOS-free alternatives and disposed of responsibly before the deadline, coordinating with shore-based facilities.
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Seafarer Protections (MLC Amendments):
Seafarers are now designated as ‘key workers’—enhancing welfare, shore access, repatriation, and rest-hour protections.

In a significant victory for maritime labour rights, recent amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) formally recognize seafarers as 'key workers.' This designation, adopted by the ILO's Special Tripartite Committee, aims to prevent repeated hardships during the pandemic. It strengthens protections regarding access to medical care ashore, repatriation, shore leave, and fair treatment, particularly during crises. The updates also reinforce measures against onboard violence and harassment and commit to reviewing work/rest hour regulations to combat fatigue, acknowledging seafarers' vital role in global trade.

08/08/2025

𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 on board a ship refers to the measures, procedures, equipment, and regular training put in place to ensure the crew can respond effectively to emergencies such as fire, flooding, collision, grounding, oil spills, and medical incidents.