On May 28, 2025, Thailand’s cabinet approved amendments to the Maritime Labour Act, enhancing seafarer protections to meet international standards. The revisions include employment contracts under the Social Security Act, prohibiting underage employment, and granting the Marine Department authority over training certifications, significantly improving labor conditions for seafarers.
Shipowners are increasingly registering vessels for the FuelEU Maritime initiative, set to start in 2026. Peter Czaga from the European Commission noted that about 18,000 ships have signed up. The surge in inquiries highlights the complexities of compliance and the challenges in meeting the EU’s decarbonization goals in maritime transport.
The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) is cracking down on vessels and owners on international sanctions lists. Since Executive Decree No. 512, 125 vessels have been reviewed, with 107 cancellations and 18 cases pending. Panama also has laws for deregistering vessels involved in criminal activities, illegal fishing, and terrorism financing, showing a commitment to responsible ship registry management.
The European Court of Auditors has raised concerns about ship pollution in EU waters despite investments. Enforcement and tracking were found lacking, urging more action to reach zero pollution goals. Member states were criticized for not utilizing available tools and missing inspection targets. Recommendations include better monitoring and stricter penalties to achieve cleaner waters by 2030.
The upcoming FuelEU Maritime regulation, effective from January 1, 2025, presents challenges for vessel owners in terms of regulatory understanding and compliance costs. DNV’s white paper suggests strategies to reduce expenses, focusing on well-to-wake emissions calculations and wind-assisted propulsion. Shipowners are advised to prepare early and consider cost-effective compliance options to minimize financial impacts.
Scrubbers on ships may reduce air pollution, but they transfer toxic pollutants into the oceans. Scientific evidence shows harmful effects on marine life, especially endangered species. Cruise ships are major contributors to scrubber pollution, discharging toxic waste daily. Cleaner fuels are a better solution, but government intervention is needed to protect our oceans.
Interest in methanol-fueled ships is growing, but a fire safety study by Survitec reveals existing methods are not equipped for methanol fires. Traditional water mist systems are ineffective on methanol fires due to their aggressive nature and different properties. Retrofitting existing vessels for methanol would require a complete overhaul of fire-fighting arrangements.
