Maritime safety regulations continue to
Maritime safety regulations continue to evolve, often driven by environmental and human health concerns. One such pressing issue is the upcoming ban on PFOS-containing fire-extinguishing media under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). This new regulation, adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) at its 107th session, is set to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
The impact will be felt across the global fleet, and shipowners must act now to avoid operational disruptions and costly last-minute replacements. Beyond safety, the regulation is also tightly connected with another compliance framework familiar to many owners: the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR).
What is PFOS, and Why is It Banned?
PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid) is a synthetic chemical widely used in AFFF firefighting foams for its ability to spread rapidly and suppress hydrocarbon fires. Unfortunately, PFOS is also a persistent organic pollutant (POP):
- It does not degrade naturally and can persist in the environment for decades.
- It bioaccumulates in living organisms, including fish
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