EU Technical Correction for Ro-Ro Vessels: What Shipping Companies and Shipyards Must Verify in 2026

Key data

Shipping companies operating ro-ro passenger vessels in European waters have a new document review obligation following the correction published on 7 July 2026 in the Official Journal of the EU. The correction rectifies the Directive 2005/12/CE of the European Commission, which in turn amended Annexes I and II of Directive 2003/25/CE on special stability requirements for this type of vessel.

This is not a new substantive regulation, but a correction of errors in the technical parameters already published. However, for affected operators, any deviation between the values applied and the corrected values may result in non-compliant technical certification.

What does this regulation establish?

Ro-ro vessels (from the English roll-on/roll-off) are vessels equipped with ramps that allow the loading and unloading of vehicles and rolling cargo, combining this function with passenger transport. Their design makes them especially vulnerable to deck flooding, which justifies specific and more stringent stability regulation than that applicable to other types of vessels.

The Directive 2003/25/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council establishes the special stability requirements for this type of vessel. The Directive 2005/12/CE of the Commission amended Annexes I and II of that directive, which contain the specific technical parameters used in safety calculations.

The correction now published rectifies the values contained in those annexes. The following table summarizes the affected regulatory structure:

The technical parameters of the annexes are those that operators and shipyards use to perform the safety calculations required by the regulation. An incorrect value in those calculations may result in certifications that do not reflect actual compliance with requirements.

Economic and operational impact

The direct economic impact of this correction is limited in terms of new investments: it does not impose new design requirements or require physical modifications to vessels. However, it generates a concrete operational obligation: to verify that technical documentation and current certifications are based on the corrected values and not on the incorrect ones.

Associated costs depend on each operator and may include:

• Internal review of technical documentation for each ro-ro vessel in operation.
• Recalculation of stability parameters if it is detected that incorrect values were used.
• Update of certifications with the competent maritime authority if previous calculations are not compliant with the corrected values.
• Coordination with shipyards or naval engineers to validate new calculations.

For operators with large fleets or vessels with recent certifications based on Directive 2005/12/CE, the cost of review can be significant in terms of technical time and document management, although it does not necessarily involve structural works or modifications.

Who does it affect?

• Shipping companies operating ro-ro passenger vessels on routes within European waters.
• Shipowners who own this type of vessel, regardless of who operates it.
• Shipyards that design, build or certify ro-ro passenger vessels under European regulations.
• National maritime authorities responsible for inspection and certification of these vessels in each EU Member State.
• Naval engineers and technical consultants who perform stability calculations for this type of vessel.

The impact is null for the general public and for companies in other sectors not linked to ro-ro passenger maritime transport.

Practical example

A Spanish shipping company operating a ro-ro passenger ferry line between the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands has its vessels certified in accordance with Directive 2003/25/CE, with stability calculations based on the parameters of Annexes I and II modified by Directive 2005/12/CE.

Following publication of this correction, the shipping company's technical department must review whether the values used in those calculations match the corrected values now published. If the calculations were performed with the incorrect values now being rectified, the shipping company must:

1. Recalculate stability parameters with the correct values.
2. Determine whether the result of the corrected calculation continues to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Directive 2003/25/CE.
3. If necessary, update the vessel's technical documentation and notify the competent maritime authority for updating the corresponding certificate.

If the corrected values do not alter the final result of stability calculations, the operational impact is reduced to internal document review.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify affected vessels: Review the fleet and determine which vessels are ro-ro passenger vessels operating in European waters and certified under Directive 2003/25/CE.
2. Locate current technical documentation: Gather the stability calculations and current certifications for each affected vessel, verifying which version of Annexes I and II was used as the basis.
3. Compare with corrected values: Consult the text of the correction published on 7 July 2026 in the Official Journal of the EU and identify which parameters have been rectified.
4. Evaluate impact on calculations: With the support of naval engineering, determine whether the corrected values alter the results of stability calculations already performed.
5. Update certifications if necessary: If previous calculations are not compliant with the corrected values, initiate the document update process with the competent national maritime authority.
6. Coordinate with shipyards and classification societies: Inform the classification societies and shipyards involved in the maintenance or construction of affected vessels so they apply the corrected values in future work.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202690560