Key data
| Regulation | Correction to Directive (EU) 2023/946 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 10 May 2023, amending Directive 2003/25/EC on stability requirements for passenger ships in the event of damage |
|---|---|
| Publication | 17 July 2026 (EU Official Journal) |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the correction |
| Affected parties | Shipping companies, shipowners and maritime authorities with passenger ships in European waters |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Corrected Directive | Directive (EU) 2023/946, published in the OJEU on 15 May 2023 (L 128) |
| Modified base standard | Directive 2003/25/EC on stability requirements for passenger ships |
| Reference body | International Maritime Organization (IMO) |
European shipping companies operating passenger ships on regular routes in EU waters have a new technical review obligation on the table. The correction published on 17 July 2026 in the EU Official Journal rectifies errors in Directive (EU) 2023/946, the standard that raised stability requirements for passenger ships in the event of damage and aligned them with the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This is not a new directive or a fundamental change in European maritime policy: it is a correction of material errors in the text published on 15 May 2023 in the Official Journal (L 128). But its operational impact is real: any shipping company that has based its compliance procedures on the original text must verify that the technical requirements it applies are correct.
What does this regulation establish?
The correction affects the text of Directive (EU) 2023/946, which in turn amended Directive 2003/25/EC, the European reference standard on stability requirements for passenger ships in the event of damage. The objective of the original directive was twofold:
- Raise the technical stability requirements demanded of passenger ships operating in European waters.
- Align European regulations with the standards established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the international body that regulates maritime safety globally.
The correction published in July 2026 rectifies errors detected in that regulatory text. Although the substantive content of the directive does not change, the corrected errors may affect the technical interpretation of stability requirements. Therefore, both shipping companies and national authorities must work with the corrected text as a valid reference.
| Standard | OJEU Publication | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Directive 2003/25/EC | Base standard | Original stability requirements for passenger ships in the event of damage |
| Directive (EU) 2023/946 | 15 May 2023 (L 128) | Amends Directive 2003/25/EC: raises requirements and aligns them with IMO standards |
| Technical correction (2026) | 17 July 2026 | Rectifies errors in the text of Directive (EU) 2023/946 |
Economic and operational impact
The direct impact of this correction is not economic in terms of new explicit fees or sanctions: it is an impact of technical compliance and operational risk. Companies that have implemented stability procedures based on the original text of Directive (EU) 2023/946 must review whether the corrected errors affect any technical parameter they are applying.
The real risk is operating with an incorrect interpretation of stability requirements, which can lead to:
- Non-compliance with technical requirements demanded by national maritime authorities in inspections.
- Problems in national transposition if the Member State has already incorporated the directive with the incorrect text.
- Need to update technical documentation, stability manuals and internal procedures.
Member States have the obligation to incorporate these corrections into their national transposition of the directive. This may involve modifications to the internal regulations of each country, which in turn will affect the requirements demanded of shipping companies in their inspections and certifications.
Who does it affect?
- Shipping companies operating passenger ships on regular routes in European waters.
- Shipowners with passenger ships registered or navigating in EU waters.
- National maritime authorities responsible for transposition and implementation of the directive in each Member State.
- Technical and regulatory compliance departments of shipping companies that have implemented procedures based on Directive (EU) 2023/946.
- Maritime advisors and consultants who advise shipping companies on compliance with stability requirements.
Practical example
A Spanish shipping company operating a regular passenger ferry line between the Mainland and the Balearic Islands implemented in 2023 the new stability procedures required by Directive (EU) 2023/946, aligning them with IMO standards. Its technical department prepared the stability manual and internal procedures using as reference the text published in the OJEU on 15 May 2023 (L 128).
Following the publication of the technical correction on 17 July 2026, the shipping company must:
- Download and review the corrected text of Directive (EU) 2023/946 published in the EU Official Journal.
- Compare the stability technical parameters it currently applies with those resulting from the corrected text.
- If there are differences, update the stability manual and internal procedures before the next inspection by the Spanish maritime authority.
- Verify whether the Spanish maritime authority has already updated its transposition regulations to incorporate the correction.
What should companies do now?
- Download the corrected text: Access the correction published on 17 July 2026 in the EU Official Journal and compare it with the original text of Directive (EU) 2023/946 (OJEU L 128, of 15 May 2023).
- Review stability technical procedures: Verify that the parameters and technical requirements applied internally comply with the corrected text, not the original.
- Update technical documentation: If the correction affects any applied parameter, update the stability manual, internal procedures and any technical documentation submitted to maritime authorities.
- Consult the national maritime authority: Verify whether the corresponding Member State has already incorporated the correction into its national transposition and whether there are new formal requirements arising from it.
- Inform technical and compliance teams: Ensure that those responsible for safety and compliance on board and ashore are aware of the corrected text and work with it as a reference.
Frequently asked questions
What errors does this technical correction exactly correct?
The correction rectifies material errors detected in the text of Directive (EU) 2023/946, published in the OJEU on 15 May 2023 (L 128). The available data does not specify which specific technical parameters have been corrected: to know the exact details of the rectified errors, it is necessary to consult the full text of the correction published in the EU Official Journal of 17 July 2026.
Which passenger ships are obliged to comply with this regulation?
Passenger ships operating on regular routes in European waters. Directive 2003/25/EC, as amended by Directive (EU) 2023/946, applies to passenger ships making international and domestic voyages in the waters of EU Member States. The correction published in July 2026 affects all ships subject to that directive.
When must shipping companies adapt their procedures to the corrected text?
The correction does not specify a differentiated entry into force date. As it is a rectification of errors in an already applicable text, the corrected text is what must be applied from its publication on 17 July 2026. Shipping companies should review their procedures as soon as possible, especially if they have upcoming maritime authority inspections.
What should Member States do with this correction?
Member States must incorporate the corrections into their national transposition of Directive (EU) 2023/946. This may involve modifying the internal regulations already approved to reflect the corrected text. National maritime authorities are responsible for applying the correct technical requirements in their inspections and certifications.
What is the relationship between this regulation and IMO standards?
Directive (EU) 2023/946, whose text is now being corrected, had as one of its main objectives to align European passenger ship stability regulations with the standards established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The technical correction published in 2026 ensures that the European text correctly reflects that alignment with IMO international standards.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Disclaimer: 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_202690600