We are authorised to act on behalf of numerous flag administrations to verify that your vessels comply with SOLAS and issue the appropriate certification. Our involvement ranges from initial plan approval and on-board surveys to annual and renewal surveys to ensure compliance is maintained. We are also able to issue type approval certification, required by SOLAS, for a wide range of fire protection materials and safety equipment.

Technical advice

We closely monitor activities at IMO and IACS to enable us to better advise you and keep you up to date with forthcoming changes to the regulations and what they will mean to you. We also offer training courses to help you better understand the requirements.

Helping you meet requirements as regulations change

For a more in-depth overview of upcoming changes to mandatory statutory regulations and instruments, see our Future IMO legislation page.

Future IMO legislation

Recent and upcoming new requirements

SOLAS Chapter II-2 – PFOS Ban – Use or storage of fire extinguishing media containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) shall be prohibited not later than the date of the first survey* on or after 1 January 2026. SOLAS amendment introduced by IMO resolution MSC.532(107). *Refer to the Unified interpretation of the term "first survey" referred to in SOLAS regulations (MSC.1/Circ.1290).
 
New SOLAS reg. II-1/3-13 – Lifting appliances and anchor handling winches – the amendments introduced by IMO resolution MSC.532(107) contain requirements for equipment installed on or after 1 January 2026.  There are also requirements for equipment installed before  1 January 2026, to be complied with no later than the date of the first renewal survey on or after 1 January 2026.  Detailed requirements are contained in Guidelines for anchor handling winches (MSC.1/Circ.1662) and Guidelines for lifting appliances (MSC.1/Circ.1663).
 
New SOLAS reg. V/19.2.12 – the amendments introduced by IMO resolution MSC.532(107) contain a requirement for containerships and bulk carriers of 3,000 GT and upwards, constructed on or after 1 January 2026, to be fitted with an electronic inclinometer, or other means, to determine, display and record the ship's roll motion.
 
Amended SOLAS Chapter XIV – the amendments introduced by IMO resolution MSC.532(107) extend the application of the Polar Code to fishing vessels of ≥24 metres in length, pleasure yachts of ≥300 GT not engaged in trade and cargo ships of ≥300 GT and <500 GT, which operate in polar waters. The requirements apply to such vessels constructed on or after 1 January 2026.  Such vessels constructed before 1 January 2026 shall meet the relevant requirements of the Polar Code by 1 January 2027.

New SOLAS Chapter XV and IP Code - amendments entering into force on 1 July 2024: Chapter XV introduced by IMO resolution MSC.521(106), adds requirements for carriage of industrial personnel. The new chapter mandates the new International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying industrial personnel (IP Code),  introduced by IMO resolution MSC.527(106), for ship of 500GT and upwards carrying more than 12 industrial personnel on international voyages to new and existing ships. See Class News 20/2023 for further information.

Revised SOLAS Chapter IV radiocommunications - amendments entering into force on 1 January 2024: introduced by IMO resolution MSC.496(105), and applies to new and existing ships. The revised chapter IV adds references to new performance standards for newly installed GMDSS equipment (noting MSC.1/Circ.1676 relating to delays due to unavailability of new equipment) and also effectively removes the requirement for provision of high-frequency direct-printing telegraphy (HF NBDP) equipment, except it may still be used for reception of MSI and search and rescue related information (MSC.1/Circ.1645 refers).  Detailed information also available in COMSAR.1/Circ.32/Rev.2.

SOLAS regulation II-1/3-8 - amendments entering into force on 1 January 2024: Introduced by IMO resolution MSC.474(102), adds new paragraphs 7 and 8 applicable to new ships 3000gt and above, and adds new paragraph 9 which applies to new and existing ships. See also Class News 14/2022 and Class News 15/2023.

Previous Regulation

  • SOLAS regulation II-1/19-1
  • SOLAS regulations II-2/1 and II-2/10
  • SOLAS regulations III/3 and III/20
  • SOLAS regulation V/20
  • SOLAS Chapter II-1 Part F amended and IGF Code
  • SOLAS new Chapter XIV and Polar Code
  • SOLAS regulation II-2/10.10.1
  • SOLAS regulation II-2/10.10.4
  • SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10

Amendments entering into force on 1 January 2020: Introduced by IMO resolution MSC.421(98), and introduces a requirement for damage control drills for passenger ships to be carried out every 3 months, and applies to all passenger ships on or after 1 January 2020. See Class News 40/2017.

Amendments entering into force on 1 January 2020: Introduced by IMO resolution MSC.409(97), and waives the requirement for an approved foam-type extinguisher of at least 135 l capacity, for boilers protected by fixed water-based local application fire-extinguishing systems, may apply to all ships on or after 1 January 2020. 

Amendments entering into force on 1 January 2020: Introduced by IMO resolution MSC.402(96) and IMO resolution MSC.404(96), and which effectively makes mandatory the Requirements for Maintenance, Thorough Examination, Operational Testing, Overhaul and Repair of Lifeboats and Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances and Release Gear previously contained in MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 and MSC.1/Circ.1277, for all ships on or after 1 January 2020. See also Class News 16/2019.

Amendments to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual will come into effect on 1 July 2019. See Class News No. 15/2018 for further guidance.

Entering into force on 1 January 2017: Introduced by IMO resolution MSC.392(95) and IMO resolution MSC.391(95) for ships (other than gas carriers) using low-flashpoint fuels contracted for construction on or after 1 January 2017 or converted to use low-flashpoint fuels on or after 1 January 2017. For more information see our Gas Technology page.

Entering into force on 1 January 2017. Introduced by IMO resolution MSC.386(94) and IMO resolution MSC.385(94) for vessels operating in polar waters constructed on or after 1 January 2017. Ships constructed before 1 January 2017 shall meet the Polar Code by the first intermediate or renewal survey, after 1 January 2018. See Class News No. 45/2016 and our polar code webpage for further guidance.

 Amended by IMO resolution MSC.338(91) requires:

"For ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014, requires that fire-fighters' outfit's SCBA shall be fitted with an audible alarm and a visual or other device which will alert the user before the volume of the air in the cylinder has been reduced to no less than 200 litres. As per MSC.1/Circ.1499 a pressure gauge may be regarded as a visual device. Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph not later than the first survey after 1 July 2019.".

Amended by IMO resolution MSC.338(91) requires:

"For ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014, a minimum of two two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for each fire party for fire-fighter's communication shall be carried on board. Those two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus shall be of an explosion-proof type or intrinsically safe. Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph not later than the first survey after 1 July 2018.".

Introduced by IMO resolution MSC.290(87) requires:

Oil tankers and bulk carriers (excluding ore carriers and combination carriers) of 150m in length (load line length) and above shall be provided with a Ship Construction File which shall be and kept on board the ship and/or ashore* and updated as appropriate throughout the ship's service. This requirement applies to ships:

  1. contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2016; or
  2. in the absence of a building contract, constructed (keel laid) on or after 1 July 2017; or
  3. delivered on or after 1 July 2020.**

* Refer to the Guidelines for the information to be included in a Ship Construction File (MSC.1/Circ.1343).

**IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.7 and MSC.1/Circ.1637 gives guidance concerning new construction projects and the unforeseen delays in the delivery of ships due to COVID-19.