Key data
| Regulation | Council Decision (EU) 2026/1029, of 27 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 6 May 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the decision |
| Affected parties | Shipowners, operators, shipyards, port authorities and maritime administrations of the EU |
| Category | European Regulation |
| IMO committees involved | MEPC 84 (Marine Environment) and MSC 111 (Maritime Safety) |
| Conventions and codes affected | MARPOL, SOLAS 1974, HSC Code 1994, HSC Code 2000, ESP Code 2011, LSA Code, Protocol on Load Lines 1988 |
European shipowners and operators must prepare for a new round of technical changes in the international conventions governing their activities. The Council Decision (EU) 2026/1029, of 27 April 2026, defines the official position of the European Union in two critical committees of the International Maritime Organization: MEPC 84 and MSC 111. The objective is to support the adoption of amendments to seven international regulatory instruments which, once approved, will be incorporated into the European legal framework as binding.
This is not a regulation that enters into force immediately with specific obligations already set. It is the roadmap that marks what the EU will support in international forums, and therefore anticipates the changes that will come for the maritime sector in the coming months.
What does this regulation establish?
The Council decision covers two simultaneous fronts at the International Maritime Organization:
At MEPC 84 (Marine Environment Protection Committee, 84th session), the EU supports amendments to the MARPOL Convention, the main international instrument for preventing pollution from ships.
At MSC 111 (Maritime Safety Committee, 111th session), the EU supports amendments to the following instruments:
- SOLAS 1974: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
- HSC Code 1994: International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (1994 version)
- HSC Code 2000: International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (2000 version)
- ESP Code 2011: International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers
- LSA Code: International Code of Safety for Life-Saving Appliances
- Protocol on Load Lines 1988: Protocol relating to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966
Each of these instruments regulates specific technical aspects of ship design, equipment, operation and inspection. The amendments that the EU supports in these committees, once formally adopted by the IMO, will become part of the European regulatory framework and will be mandatory for Member States.
Economic and operational impact
The specific economic impact will depend on the final content of the amendments adopted at MEPC 84 and MSC 111, which is not detailed in this decision. However, the scope of the affected instruments allows us to anticipate the areas of impact:
| Instrument | Type of ship/operation affected | Area of impact |
|---|---|---|
| MARPOL | All ships | Prevention of marine pollution: emissions, waste, sewage |
| SOLAS 1974 | All ships | Structural safety, safety equipment, emergency procedures |
| HSC Code 1994 and HSC Code 2000 | High-speed craft | Technical design and operation requirements for fast ferries and similar vessels |
| ESP Code 2011 | Bulk carriers and oil tankers | Enhanced inspections: frequency, scope and documentation |
| LSA Code | All ships | Life-saving appliances: rafts, lifejackets, lifeboats |
| Protocol Load Lines 1988 | All cargo ships | Freeboard and stability: cargo limits and structural safety |
Companies operating bulk carriers or oil tankers under the ESP Code 2011 and high-speed craft under the HSC Codes should pay special attention, as these are the most specific instruments with the greatest impact on inspection and certification costs.
Who does it affect?
- Shipowners and operators with ships under the flag of an EU Member State: will have to adapt their fleets to the new technical requirements of MARPOL and SOLAS.
- High-speed craft operators (fast ferries, passenger catamarans): affected by amendments to the HSC Codes 1994 and HSC Code 2000.
- Bulk carrier and oil tanker operators: affected by amendments to the ESP Code 2011, which regulates their periodic inspections.
- Shipyards: will have to incorporate the new technical requirements in ship designs and constructions.
- Port authorities: will have to adapt their inspection and port state control procedures.
- Maritime administrations of Member States: responsible for transposing the amendments into national law and supervising their compliance.
- Classification and ship certification companies: will have to update their rules and certification procedures.
Practical example
A Spanish shipping company operating three bulk carriers under Spanish flag will be affected by amendments to the ESP Code 2011. This code regulates the enhanced programme of inspections during periodic surveys of bulk carriers and oil tankers.
If the amendments adopted at MSC 111 modify the frequency, scope or documentation required in these inspections, the shipping company will have to:
- Update its internal maintenance and documentation procedures to comply with the new inspection standards.
- Coordinate with its classification society the adaptation of the survey schedule.
- Review whether the current equipment of the ships complies with the new requirements or if investments in modernization are needed.
The same scheme applies to a fast ferry operator on routes such as the Balearic Islands or Canary Islands, which will have to review compliance with the HSC Codes 1994 or HSC Code 2000 depending on the year of construction of its vessels.
What should companies do now?
- Identify which instruments apply to them: review what type of ships the company operates (bulk carrier, oil tanker, high-speed craft, general cargo ship) and which conventions and codes apply to them.
- Follow the results of MEPC 84 and MSC 111: the specific amendments will be adopted at these sessions. Consult the documents of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to learn the exact content of the approved changes.
- Contact your classification society: classification societies (Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's Register, DNV, etc.) will be the first to implement the new requirements and will provide guidance on compliance.