New regulations that may affect your operations include:STCW – Electronic CertificatesIn accordance with the industry support to global digitalisation and as outlined within IMO MSC.107 - MSC adopted amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, regulation I/2. This allows seafarers to hold electronic certificates if they meet certain requirements.The amendments enter into force on 1 January 2025. Electronic certificates must show a minimum amount of information, circular MSC.1/Circ.1665 informs of these details.IMSBC Code AmendmentsAmendments 07-23 to the IMSBC Code, resolution MSC.539(107), which have been in place on a voluntary basis since 1 January 2024, become mandatory on 1 January 2025.NorthStandard has a more detailed update here.MARPOL Annex I – Special Area UpdatesThe Red Sea and Gulf of Aden become special areas effective from 1st January 2025. Ships transiting these areas must comply with regulations 15.3, 15.5 and 34.2 to 34.5 in line with MEPC.381(80) and MEPC.382(80).A reminder that this requires any discharge of oily waste to be via approved oil filtering equipment meeting regulation 14.7 of Annex 1, (fitted with an alarm and automatic stopping device when oil content exceeds 15 parts per million) as well as the other conditions listed in Annex 1.Vessels transiting these areas will now also have to comply with Annex V, Regulation 6, for waste management in special areas. A useful overview from the IMO can be found here.A complete list of all special areas can be found here - Special Areas IMO.MARPOL Annex VI – Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3In line with the IMO decarbonisation targets, EEDI ensures new vessels are designed to a minimum energy efficiency level. Phase 3 requires a reduction of at least 30% compared with the initial baseline. Whilst some vessel types were required to meet EEDI Phase 3 from April 2022, all remaining vessels greater than 400GT are required to comply with Phase 3 EEDI effective from January 1st 2025. This applies to all new ships meeting the following criteria:the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2025; orin absence of a building contract, the keel of which is laid on or after 1 July 2025the delivery of which is on or after 1 January 2029.FuelEU MaritimeFuelEU Maritime is a new regulation that will be implemented from 1 January 2025. This is applicable for all commercial ships >5000GT sailing within EU waters, and to and from EU ports. It has been adopted by the EU as part of their “Fit for 55” package to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector, by promoting the use of renewables and low-carbon fuels on ships, on a well-to-wake basis as well as future requirements for the use of shore power. The target reduction for 2025 will be 2% compared with 2020 reference levels. NorthStandard has more resources on this:FuelEU Maritime: Monitoring Plan – Less than one month to goPreparing for FuelEU MaritimeThe EU-MRV will also come into effect from 1st January 2025 for general cargo ships and offshore vessels of 400GT and above.Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM) – Ballast Water Record BookEffective from 1st February 2025, ship operators will need to complete the new Ballast Water Record Book format in line with MEPC.369(80). In accordance with regulation B-2, the amendments to Annex II have been made to enhance and clarify the required formatting. Updated guidance from the IMO BWM.2/Circ.80 should be used when completing records.Additionally, the use of electronic record books for BWM will be allowed as of 1st October 2025 in line with IMO resolution MEPC.383(81). Electronic record books must be approved by the vessels flag administration. Guidance issued by the IMO in MEPC.372(80) for electronic BWM record books should be used.MARPOL Annex VIEmissions Control Ara (ECA)Effective from 1st May 2025, the Mediterranean sea will become part of an emissions control ar