As the maritime industry enters the third month of 2025, new sustainability initiatives, regulatory changes, and safety challenges continue to shape the sector. This month’s Maritime Trainer Bulletin highlights key developments, including expanding the IMO GreenVoyage2050 program, seafarer overwork concerns, Sweden’s scrubber discharge ban, and crucial safety updates.

The IMO GreenVoyage2050 program, aimed at supporting developing countries in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, has announced nine new partner countries for 2025.

With increasing commercial and research activities in Arctic and Antarctic waters, IMO and the Arctic Council held a Polar Maritime Seminar in London to tackle the challenges of polar shipping.

• The importance of voyage planning and search & rescue operations in extreme conditions.
• New strategies to reduce underwater noise pollution affecting marine life.
• Updates on POLARIS risk management tools to enhance decision-making in ice-covered waters.

With climate change accelerating ice melt, shipping activity in polar regions is expected to increase, making specialized training and regulatory compliance essential for safer operations.

A recent World Maritime University (WMU) study has revealed an alarming trend:

• 74% of seafarers report excessive work hours, far exceeding the global standard of a 43-hour workweek.
• 78% of seafarers say they never get a full day off during their contracts.
• 88% admit to breaking work/rest limits at least once a month due to crew shortages.

Despite these findings, compliance reports often show high adherence to work-hour rules, suggesting that seafarers underreport their actual hours to avoid employer retaliation.

To address these concerns, the ILO will review seafarer work-rest regulations in April 2025, potentially leading to stricter enforcement measures impacting crewing requirements across the industry.

• July 1, 2025: Open-loop scrubber discharges will be prohibited.
• January 1, 2029: All scrubber discharges, including closed-loop systems, will be banned.

Sweden joins Finland and Denmark in a regional push to curb toxic wastewater discharges into the Baltic Sea. This move reinforces the trend toward tighter environmental regulations, urging shipowners to explore alternative emission control technologies.

BIMCO has issued updated guidance on in-water cleaning to improve biofouling management, aligning with the 2023 IMO Biofouling Guidelines.

• Safe and environmentally responsible biofouling removal.
• Pre-cleaning and post-cleaning inspections to ensure compliance.
• The use of remotely operated cleaning systems to minimize risks.

With several ports implementing stricter biofouling regulations, ship operators should stay informed and adopt best practices to maintain vessel efficiency and avoid compliance penalties.

This month’s safety updates highlight two major onboard accident reports:

1️⃣ Ladder Deficiency Leads to an 11m Fall – A crew member fell from a ship’s gantry crane due to inadequate ladder design and lack of proper protective measures. The accident emphasizes the importance of regular safety audits and hazard assessments.

2️⃣ Fingers Crushed by Heavy Equipment – A crew member suffered serious injuries while attempting to move an impeller blade without proper lifting assistance. This incident underscores the need for better risk assessment and PPE selection for high-risk tasks.

Both cases serve as critical reminders of why safety training and proper equipment maintenance should be top priorities in maritime operations.

From March 2025, China is tightening safety regulations on the transport of dangerous goods, requiring:

• Stricter declaration procedures for hazardous cargo.
• Updated administrative permits for port entry and cargo handling.
• Enhanced ship-to-ship (STS) transfer requirements to prevent accidents.

These changes will affect carriers operating in Chinese waters, making it essential for shipowners and logistics providers to review compliance protocols before the new regulations take effect.

We expand our training offerings at Maritime Trainer to meet evolving industry demands. This month, we’re introducing four new courses:

As the maritime sector embraces technological advancements and new regulatory standards, investing in specialized training is key to staying ahead.

The March 2025 Maritime Trainer Bulletin underscores the fast-paced regulatory changes, sustainability efforts, and safety challenges shaping the maritime industry. From GHG reduction initiatives and new environmental policies to seafarer welfare concerns and accident prevention, these updates highlight the need for proactive compliance and continuous learning.

At Maritime Trainer, we are committed to supporting maritime professionals through expert-led training and cutting-edge learning solutions. Stay ahead of industry developments and ensure operational excellence in 2025 and beyond.