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TWS Intelligence Desk

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11 articles

Merchant marine and regulation • Sep 15, 2026

IMO launches implementation phase to support Ukraine’s Black Sea Special Maritime Corridor

The IMO has begun a UK-, France- and EU-funded technical-cooperation project aimed at strengthening safety, pollution preparedness and traffic facilitation for Ukraine’s Special Maritime Corridor.

Cargo ship underway near a Ukrainian Black Sea port, illustrating commercial shipping connected with Ukraine’s Special Maritime Corridor.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 21, 2026

IMO’s autonomous-ship safety code is now operational, with master accountability retained

The IMO’s non-mandatory MASS Code has been in effect since 1 July 2026, providing the first global safety framework for autonomous and remotely operated SOLAS cargo ships while keeping the master ultimately responsible.

A cargo ship at sea representing autonomous or remotely operated commercial shipping under the IMO MASS Code.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 21, 2026

Russia signals possible retaliation against Western merchant shipping as shadow-fleet enforcement intensifies

Statements from Russia’s leadership and Pacific Fleet have raised the risk of politically motivated interference with merchant ships linked to “unfriendly” states, following tougher European action against Russia’s shado...

Russian Pacific Fleet cruiser Varyag underway at sea, illustrating the naval context of Russia’s 12 August 2026 statements on possible action against merchant vessels.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 21, 2026

Türkiye activates new ship-agency regime, tightening Turkish Straits service controls

Türkiye’s revised Ship Agencies Regulation takes full effect on 14 August 2026, introducing class- and region-based authority, digital certification and stricter operating conditions for agents serving commercial vessels...

Commercial cargo vessel transiting the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 21, 2026

US extends and narrows Jones Act waiver for foreign vessels carrying energy and farm-linked cargoes

A new 90-day US waiver, effective 17 August 2026, will continue limited foreign-flag participation in domestic coastwise trades but adds voyage-level consultation with MARAD and restricts the cargo scope.

A tanker alongside a petroleum terminal, representing foreign-flag vessels that may be considered for eligible US domestic energy cargo voyages under the temporary Jones Act waiver.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 21, 2026

EU packaging regulation starts applying, creating immediate compliance checks for cargo entering the Union

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) applies from 12 August 2026. For cargo owners, importers, freight forwarders and fulfilment providers, the immediate issue is documentary and supply-chain readiness...

Containerized export cargo being handled at a European seaport, illustrating packaging compliance exposure for goods entering the EU market.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 12, 2026

OFAC’s stated GEMAR wind-down protection for non-U.S. parties ends 12 August

Non-U.S. maritime counterparties with outstanding dealings involving Cuba’s state-owned GEMAR or GECOMEX face an immediate sanctions-screening and payment-control deadline.

Cargo vessel berthed at a container terminal in Havana, Cuba.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 07, 2026

Santos access-channel concession consultation extended to 29 September

Brazil’s waterway regulator has extended the consultation on the proposed concession of the Port of Santos access channel, keeping the project documentation open for industry input until 29 September 2026.

Container ship navigating the access channel at the Port of Santos, Brazil.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 06, 2026

EU ICS2 stop-words update takes effect, tightening ENS data controls for inbound cargo

An updated EU ICS2 stop-words list became effective on 3 August 2026. The change does not create a new Entry Summary Declaration duty, but it changes the data-validation reference used for cargo descriptions and can trig...

Container ship alongside stacks of containers at a European cargo terminal.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 03, 2026

UK finalises port state control guidance under 2026 regulations

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has issued final MGN 711 guidance for the Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Regulations 2026, reinforcing risk-based inspections, detention and port-access consequences for fore...

Illustrative view of a port state control inspection being conducted on a merchant vessel alongside.

Merchant marine and regulation • Aug 01, 2026

EU 21st Russia sanctions package expands maritime exposure to LNG tanker sales and shadow-fleet support vessels

The EU’s 23 July package adds 41 vessels to its service and port-access ban, expands listing criteria to vessels supporting designated ships, and introduces controls around sales of LNG tankers to third countries.

Russia’s natural gas exports by pipeline to the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) declined by almost 40% during the first seven months of 2022 compared with the same period in 2021 and by almost 50% compared with the previous five-year (2017