Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 26 MARCH 2026

SOLAS Amendments Effective 1 January 2026. What Shipowners, Operators And Managers Must Prepare

AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
Contributor
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC

AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC

Established in 2006, AGPLAW is a full-service, award-winning and committed to excellence law firm...

View firm profile
Explore more from AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC

On 1 January 2026, a new package of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) will enter into force, introducing material changes..

CyprusTransport
Angelos Paphitis
Angelos Paphitis
Kyriaki (Kelly) Kresta
Kyriaki (Kelly) Kresta
Author LinkedIn connections

On 1 January 2026, a new package of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) will enter into force, introducing material changes in three critical areas of ship safety and compliance:

  • Fire safety systems, particularly in Ro-Ro spaces1 and vehicle decks
  • Safety of navigation, through mandatory roll-motion monitoring
  • Safety certification, including formal recognition of containerships in statutory certificates
This change enhances regulatory clarity, reduces ambiguity during surveys and PSC inspections, and aligns certification practice with modern fleet composition

These amendments, adopted through IMO Resolutions MSC.550(108), MSC.555(108), MSC.532(107) and MSC.534(107), introduce a range of technical and certification changes under SOLAS. The present article focuses on selected amendments relating to fire safety in vehicle spaces, roll-motion monitoring and cargo ship certification, and reflect regulatory lessons learned from recent

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Shipping - The New Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Amendment Law Of 2009

The Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Amendment Law of 2009 (Law 60(I) of 2009), which came into effect at the end of June 2009, implements the provisions of Articles 7(3) (a) and 19 (a) of EU Directive 95/21/EC concerning “enforcement in respect of shipping using Community ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Member States of international standards for ship safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions (Port State Control)” as amended by
CyprusTransport
Elias Neocleous & Co LLC
Elias Neocleous & Co LLC
Article

MiCA’s Transition Ends On 1 July 2026. Is Your Crypto Business Authorised To Continue?

The EU's Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) transitional period expires on 1 July 2026, marking a critical deadline for crypto-asset service providers operating in Europe. Without proper MiCA authorisation by this date, businesses must cease operations and implement orderly wind-down procedures, as pending applications do not grant permission to continue providing services. This comprehensive analysis examines the regulatory requirements, compliance obligations, and strategic considerations for cryp
CyprusFinance and Banking
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
Article

Cyprus Citizenship For Highly Skilled Employees

Cyprus has introduced an accelerated citizenship pathway for highly skilled foreign employees working for qualifying companies in the Republic. This framework, sometimes called the "Golden Knowledge" route, allows eligible professionals to obtain citizenship after four or five years of qualifying residence, depending on their Greek language proficiency. The regime represents a significant development for international professionals who have established their careers and lives in Cyprus.
CyprusImmigration
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
Article

Can Cyprus Become A True Fintech Banking Hub?

Cyprus is evolving from a jurisdiction that simply attracts fintech licenses to one building genuine European fintech infrastructure. With new regulatory frameworks including PSD3, DORA, and MiCA converging, the country faces a critical question: can it develop the banking relationships, payment systems access, and institutional depth required to transform licensed entities into a truly interconnected financial ecosystem?
CyprusFinance and Banking
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
Article

Crypto Fraud, Cold Calls And “Recovery” Scams In Cyprus. Why Victims Must Act Fast

Cryptocurrency fraud victims in Cyprus are increasingly targeted by sophisticated "recovery" scams involving cold calls, remote access requests, and false promises to retrieve lost digital assets. Recent court cases demonstrate that while recovery is not guaranteed, victims who preserve evidence and act quickly may have realistic legal options through Cyprus courts, including freezing orders, disclosure relief, and asset preservation measures.
CyprusCriminal Law
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
Article

What The Jautiva Ruling Means For Shareholder Privacy

The Court of Justice's Jautiva ruling has clarified that EU company law does not require unrestricted online access to shareholder personal information, even when corporate transparency and anti-money laundering objectives are invoked. Cyprus businesses must now reconsider how they balance statutory filing obligations with data protection principles, particularly when shareholder records can be downloaded in bulk without safeguards. This analysis examines what the judgment means for corporate disclosure pra
CyprusPrivacy
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC
AGPLAW | A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC