Latest maritime regulations updates and reports
Splash247
Cameroon is taking action against shadow ships on its register, following pressure from the EU and Ukraine, as reported by Splash247. The country's flag registry has expanded by 126% over the past year, largely due to Russian-linked tonnage, making it Africa’s third-largest, according to Clarksons Research.
Splash247
The UK shipping industry has expressed concerns over the government's proposal to extend the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to domestic maritime operations starting July 1, 2026, as reported by Splash247. Industry leaders warn that the policy could increase costs and harm island communities without achieving significant emissions reductions.
EMSA
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) hosted a thematic workshop on evolving maritime challenges as part of the European Coast Guard Functions Forum (ECGFF) programme for 2026. The event took place on 11-12 February at EMSA's premises in Lisbon, organized in collaboration with Italian authorities, according to EMSA.
Seatrade Maritime
Seatrade Maritime reports that the second Trump administration initially focused on enhancing US maritime capabilities, but a recent conference in New York highlighted the limited tangible outcomes so far. The momentum of these initiatives appears to be slowing, as discussed by industry experts at the event.
Splash247
Windward, a maritime analytics firm, forecasts that at least 120 sanctioned tankers, currently falsely flagged, are expected to reflag to Russia's registry in the near future. This shift comes as Western efforts to intercept stateless shadow fleet vessels prompt a change in Russia's oil export logistics, as reported by Splash247.
gCaptain
Greece and Malta are reportedly the main obstacles to the European Union's proposal to replace a Russian oil price cap with a ban on services required to ship Russian oil, as reported by gCaptain. The proposal aims to tighten restrictions on Russia's oil trade.
Seatrade Maritime
Wärtsilä has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy to collaborate on decarbonisation efforts over the next five years, as reported by Seatrade Maritime. The partnership will focus on training, efficiency, and potential government-to-government support.
Splash247
Splash247 reports that Vanuatu has issued a warning about a fraudulent website, registervu.com, impersonating its registry. This issue is part of a broader trend affecting Pacific island nations, with Tonga also recently denouncing false flag operations.
Splash247
Splash247 reports that the European Commission is considering a 20th sanctions package that could increase pressure on Russia's shadow tanker fleet by replacing the crude oil price cap with a full ban on maritime services related to Russian crude exports. This move is expected to lead to a rise in the number of vessels in Russia's shadow fleet.
gCaptain
The European Union has proposed unprecedented sanctions against ports in Georgia and Indonesia that handle Russian oil, marking a significant shift in its sanctions strategy, as reported by gCaptain. This 20th sanctions package moves away from the G7 price cap to a comprehensive maritime services ban.
