Draft Workplan Agreed on Safety Rules for Battery, Wind and Nuclear-Powered Ships

29 January 2026

IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) has finalized a workplan to develop a safety regulatory framework for ships using new technologies and alternative fuels to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The Sub-Committee plans to submit the draft workplan to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) for approval. The workplan will include developing and amending safety regulations related to alternative fuels. If the workplan is endorsed by MSC, IMO will work towards achieving key milestones in regard to ship alternative fuels, including battery, wind propulsion, and nuclear-assisted power at MSC from 2028 to 2030. In addition, the Sub-Committee established the SDC Correspondence Group on GHG Safety to collect and analyze information related to wind and nuclear power, as well as amend SOLAS regulation II-1/41 to allow for batteries to be used as the main source of electrical power and lighting systems.  

For the original article, please visit https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pages/whatsnew-2419.aspx or scan the QR code below.

Shipbreaking Yards Are Under-explored Hotspots for Pollution, Finds Turkish Study

4 February 2026

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which are found in pesticides and by-products of industrial activities contaminate ecosystems and pose threats to human and environmental health. A recent study conducted in Türkiye explored how POPs cause environmental pollution in the process of recovering steel from ship parts in shipbreaking. The study focused on a 30-kilometre stretch of coastline in Aliağa, western Turkey, which is home to some of the largest shipbreaking yards, has heavy ship traffic, and various plant operations. A researcher looked at concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in samples of sediment from the coastal area and found that concentrations of both chemicals exceeded guidelines. PCBs and PBDEs are classified as possible carcinogens. 

The study showed that areas experiencing more land-based industrial activities had higher concentrations. In particular, concentrations of both chemicals were the highest in sediments from shipbreaking yards. The researcher compared these study findings with previous studies on PCBs in sediments in the same area and found that concentrations had risen. The study revealed that shipbreaking is one of the main causes of POP pollution. It suggested that monitoring for ship breaking should be reinforced to mitigate and prevent environmental damage caused by POP pollution while strictly managing contaminated ship materials and promptly intervening to address the issue of POP pollution. 

For the original article, please visit https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/shipbreaking-yards-are-under-explored-hotspots-pollution-finds-turkish-study-2026-02-04_en or scan the QR code below.