New rules reshape dry bulk carrier compliance

Regulatory shifts force bulk carrier operators to reassess safety, documentation and crew competence as a cluster of IMO instruments move from paper commitments to operational reality, delegates at the 2025 International Bulk Shipping Conference in London heard.

Chairing the safety and regulation session, hosted by law firm Stephenson Harwood, Lookout Maritime chief executive Martin Crawford-Brunt said the industry is grappling with “pretty complex regulations that could be quite challenging”, and warned the operating environment is “not getting any simpler”.

DNV vice president and global business director for bulk carriers Morten Løvstad used his presentation to walk operators through immediate compliance priorities.

From 1 October 2025, ships need to maintain a revised ballast water record book with standardised operation codes A–H and, critically, to move to an electronic ballast water record book that complies with IMO guidelines and flag requirements.

Port state control is expected to focus on the correct use of the new format and on how crews document any bypass or malfunction of ballast water management systems, “We basically recommended … train your crew accordingly,” he said.

On air emissions, Mr Løvstad highlighted Marpol Annex VI amendments for low-flashpoint fuels that entered into force on 1 August 2025.

The supplement to the IAPP certificate was updated, while bunker delivery notes now have to carry more detailed information on ship identity, fuel supplier, delivery particulars and verified sulphur content, as well as supporting fuel compatibility assessment.

He urged owners to revisit bunkering procedures with officers, including fuel change-over, tank segregation and blending practices, as biofuels gained traction.

Turning to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code), Mr Løvstad drew attention to Amendment 07-23, which requires shippers to declare bulk density for cargoes carried on bulkers of 150 m or more, aligning the Code with SOLAS.

Fourteen new cargo schedules – including direct-reduced iron and electric arc furnace dust – have been added and several materials, such as fishmeal, reclassified as materials hazardous in bulk.

He stressed “accurate cargo declaration” and empowering masters not to load wet cargo above transportable moisture limits are essential, particularly as “dynamic separation” has now been distinguished from traditional liquefaction in the IMSBC Code text.