On 17 January 2026, we entered a new era for the preservation of biodiversity on the high seas as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement entered into force. Here, we explore how the Thermal Dome, a unique oceanographic feature located in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and a dynamic hot spot for biological diversity, can be used as a case study to illustrate how conservation aims could be achieved with minimum impact on shipping operations – leading the way for future debate and discussions on high seas protection and shipping. Contents The BBNJ Agreement – a new era for ocean conservation The Thermal Dome, a climate-driven anomaly The Thermal Dome is under threat The Role of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA) framework The Thermal Dome- the first high seas PSSA? An opportunity for shipping? What else are we doing related to the BBNJ Agreement? The BBNJ Agreement – a new era for ocean conservation After nearly two decades of negotiations, the BBNJ Agreement entered into force on 17 January 2026. Covering two-thirds of the global ocean, this landmark treaty aims to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). It introduces measures such as area-based management tools (ABMTS) which include marine protected areas (MPAs) as well as incorporating environmental impact assessments (EIAs), and mechanisms for capacity-building and technology transfer, all under the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). For the shipping industry, the implications could be significant. While international shipping is already regulated under stringent IMO conventions like MARPOL, the BBNJ Agreement reinforces the need for ABMTs and closer alignment between conservation and maritime operations. This means there may be potential new measures in sensitive regions, such as speed reductions, routing adjustments, and enhanced monitoring to mitigate