International shipping regulations 2025 refers to the new rules, standards, and enforcement practices being introduced globally that affect how goods are transported across borders by sea, air, and land. These changes come from major organizations like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Air Transport Association (IATA), European Union (EU), and various national governments.
The goal of these updates is to improve safety, reduce environmental impact, and standardize global trade practices. At Tri-Link FTZ, we stay ahead of these changes so our clients don’t have to scramble when regulations shift.
After three decades in third-party logistics and foreign trade zone operations, I’ve learned to keep a close eye on compliance calendars. 2025 isn’t just another year.
It’s a big one. Starting January 1, we’ll see major rule changes in maritime shipping, customs documentation, environmental policy, and port operations.
One of the most important updates is the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which applies to all ships over 5,000 gross tons entering EU waters. This rule forces shipping companies to cut emissions by 2% based on 2020 benchmarks. That may sound small, but the shift in operations is huge.
Also on January 1, ships must begin complying with updates to the IMSBC Code for cargo like Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), which has new safety categories. If your business moves any sort of bulk cargo, you need to know this.
Alongside that, the STCW certification rules for seafarers are now allowing electronic certificates under new verification methods. This adds convenience—but also adds more scrutiny from Port State Control.
February brings a change to Ballast Water Record Books. If you’re not recording your operations with the new format, expect trouble.
May 1 marks the date when the Mediterranean Sea becomes an Emissions Control Area, and that means low-sulfur fuels or scrubbers are required. We’ve already helped a number of our clients prepare for this transition. Read more here.
Working with clients around the globe, I’ve seen how regulations can vary—and 2025 is no exception. The EU is leading the charge with FuelEU and the expanding EU Emissions Trading System, which will cover 70% of vessel emissions (up from 40% in 2024).
Whether your company is based in the U.S. or Asia, if you touch a European port, these rules apply to you. In the United States, California is pushing things even further with its At-Berth Regulation, which requires ships to drastically cut emissions while docked.
This affects tankers, ro-ro ships, and container vessels operating in places like Long Beach and Los Angeles. Asian markets are seeing new enforcement too.
The long-awaited Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling finally enters into force on June 25, 2025. It mandates that ships over 500 gross tons maintain an inventory of hazardous materials, verified through regular surveys.
We’re advising our clients now to start collecting this data before it’s a scramble. Finland, not typically on everyone’s radar, is actually setting a bold environmental tone.
From July 1, they’re banning all wastewater discharge—yes, all—into the Baltic Sea. That means greywater, blackwater, everything.
And they’re not the only country in the region looking to tighten environmental rules.
As a third-party logistics provider that operates a Foreign Trade Zone, we see the ripple effect of regulation firsthand. These new rules don’t just impact ships—they affect every step of the supply chain.
For instance, the increased documentation and emissions tracking can delay customs clearance if you’re not ready. We’ve already begun coaching clients on updating their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to include documentation for new fuel types and emission logs.
Digital recordkeeping is now the norm, not the exception. If your teams aren’t trained on platforms like THETIS MRV (used by the EU to monitor vessel emissions), you’re going to fall behind.
At Tri-Link, we’ve started integrating compliance data directly into our logistics software for better traceability. Freight forwarders will need to communicate more closely with carriers to confirm compliance, or risk customs holds, penalties, or even cargo rejection.
These policies also mean that freight schedules need more buffer time. For example, changing over to compliant fuel when entering a new Emission Control Area can delay port arrival if it’s not managed carefully.
We help clients build that into their lead times—because no one likes surprises at port.
Documentation is one of the most misunderstood areas of compliance. In 2025, there’s a huge push toward digital verification.
That means less paper, but also more precision. Take the STCW electronic certificates.
Port authorities can verify them using QR codes, tracking numbers, or unique IDs. But if your systems aren’t aligned with that format, you’ll hit roadblocks fast.
There are also new versions of the IATA manuals—including the Dangerous Goods Regulations, Live Animal Regulations, and Temperature Control Regulations. These documents change yearly, but in 2025, the updates are especially critical.
For example, the Battery Shipping Regulations Manual (BSR) now includes rules for sodium-ion batteries and expanded documentation for electric vehicles. Here’s a quick breakdown of essential document updates for 2025:
Manual | Edition | Key Updates |
Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) | 66th | New UN numbers, lithium/sodium battery handling |
Live Animal Regulations (LAR) | 51st | Revised crating and transport timelines |
Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM) | 9th | Enhanced temperature tracking standards |
Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) | 12th | New category: sodium-ion batteries |
Security Management Manual (SeMs) | 8th | Updated PLACI requirements |
Even more, the Ballast Water Management Convention now requires a very specific record book format, and electronic ballast water logs (eBWRBs) must meet IMO standards and be approved per ship.
If you’ve followed industry trends, you know environmental regulations are tightening every year. In 2025, they will reach a whole new level. The FuelEU Maritime regulation is one of the strongest moves yet toward carbon neutrality.
It doesn’t just affect fuel usage — it impacts your entire logistics footprint, from origin to destination. As a company that manages Foreign Trade Zone operations, we see how these changes affect cost planning, transit times, and carrier selection.
The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 is now mandatory for all vessels over 400 gross tons. If a vessel’s build contract is signed after January 1, 2025, it must meet a 30% efficiency improvement from the baseline.
That alone is forcing shipowners to rethink fleet upgrades. The new Emission Control Area for the Mediterranean means sulfur levels must stay under 0.1%.
Ships without scrubbers or compliant fuel will need to change operations or face serious penalties. And that’s just the start. MARPOL Annex VI now includes deeper data-sharing clauses, which allow fuel usage data to be shared with researchers—assuming consent from the shipowner.
That level of transparency is new, and it’s here to stay. As a logistics provider, we’ve made sustainability a core part of our consulting practice.
Many of our clients are looking for ways to reduce emissions and cost. One of the best things we recommend is aligning port calls with shore power availability, using carriers that support green fuels, and integrating emissions calculators into the route planning process.
It’s not just about the rules—it’s about future-proofing your business. Read more here.
I’ve seen firsthand what happens when businesses ignore regulatory shifts. In 2025, the stakes are higher than ever.
Non-compliance can cost you more than just money—it can delay your entire operation. Ships arriving without the right bunker delivery notes, updated emissions tracking, or correct ballast water records may be refused port entry or fined on the spot.
The EU, in particular, is ramping up enforcement. Their Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system connects directly to port authorities.
If your data is off, the penalty is instant. In the U.S., California’s ABR rules could result in port entry refusal if emissions aren’t cut at berth.
And with the Hong Kong Convention entering into force, if your hazardous materials inventory isn’t updated, recycling approval may be blocked—causing massive delays in vessel decommissioning or resale. But the biggest risk I see?
Reputation. In this globalized supply chain, one bad compliance event can trigger investigations by customs agencies, insurance providers, or even customers. It’s why we offer real-time compliance monitoring to every client working through our FTZ or third-party logistics services.
Staying ahead in this environment means using the right tools. At Tri-Link FTZ, we’ve adopted platforms that integrate documentation, fuel logs, and emissions reporting into one seamless system.
One standout is the THETIS MRV portal, used across the EU for maritime emissions. We help our clients integrate it with their TMS (transport management system) so they’re never surprised during an audit.
Many port authorities now accept electronic record books—from ballast water logs to seafarer certificates. We’ve even seen shipowners use QR codes to verify crew credentials during Port State inspections.
These digital tools not only help avoid human error, but they also make recordkeeping far more efficient. For clients shipping lithium-ion batteries or perishable goods, we suggest using smart container sensors and IATA-compliant data loggers.
These tools ensure compliance with IATA’s new Battery Shipping Regulations Manual (BSR) and Temperature Control Regulations (TCR). By investing in tech once, you save yourself from headaches every time your shipment is reviewed by customs.
And yes, even small and medium-sized businesses can benefit. Many of these tools offer affordable plans or third-party integrations, meaning you don’t have to reinvent your system to stay compliant.
Not every business has an in-house compliance officer or a global legal team. We work with many small and mid-sized companies who are navigating international shipping regulations 2025 on limited budgets.
The good news? You don’t need to do it all alone.
We always advise SMBs to start by subscribing to updates from trusted sources: IATA, IMO, EU MRV platforms, and port authority newsletters. You’ll get alerts about every major rule change, often with guidance.
From there, lean on your logistics partners—especially if they operate FTZs like we do—because we’re required to stay compliant ourselves and can pass that value on to you. Another powerful move is outsourcing compliance training.
We provide onboarding sessions for our clients’ teams that walk through documentation updates, e-recordbook setups, and routing adjustments based on ECA zones. Instead of hiring a consultant for every update, you get a partner who evolves with you.
And don’t overlook automation. Many of today’s cloud-based platforms for freight forwarding and compliance come with built-in alerts for regulatory deadlines and form errors.
For a small investment, you gain big peace of mind.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after 35 years in this industry, it’s that success in logistics is all about preparation. Regulations aren’t suggestions—they’re business-critical rules that can make or break a shipping operation.
So now’s the time to audit your process. First, review your current documentation workflows.
Are your teams using the latest editions of IATA manuals? Do you have templates aligned with the new Ballast Water Record Book format?
Next, check whether your vessels or carriers are ready for low-sulfur fuel requirements in the Mediterranean. Then, verify that your SEEMP Part II data tracking meets MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 27 requirements.
At Tri-Link, we’ve updated our entire SOP library to reflect the international shipping regulations 2025. We’ve also built in compliance checklists for each client, tailored to their region, cargo type, and transport method.
We recommend every business does the same—or works with a partner that already has. Finally, don’t forget your team.
We’ve seen the best success when clients provide even just 30-minute refresher sessions on the new standards. The more your people understand the why behind the regulations, the more likely they are to follow through with the how.
If you’re looking for trusted information, here are the places I recommend you check regularly:
We’ve spent over three decades helping businesses stay compliant, reduce costs, and scale sustainably. The international shipping regulations 2025 may be the most important change in years, but with the right information, the right tools, and the right partners—you’ll be ready.
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