The reference Marine News feed by Varuna Sentinels BV — daily-updated, source-verified coverage of IHM Maintenance, Hong Kong Convention, EU Ship Recycling Regulation, IMO MEPC 84 / ISWG-GHG 21, PFOS/PFAS, FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS, CII reduction factors and Life Cycle Assessment for the global shipping industry. Last updated:
With the Hong Kong Convention approaching its first year in force (entered into force 26 June 2025), Port State Control regimes — Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU and the USCG — are intensifying Inventory of Hazardous Materials inspections. Class guidance from DNV and ABS confirms inspectors no longer simply confirm that the certificate exists: they now cross-check the underlying survey reports, evidence of continuous IHM maintenance, and consistency between IHM Part I content and the hazardous materials physically on board. Every newbuilding, conversion, repair and store delivery must flow into Part I via Material Declarations and Suppliers’ Declarations of Conformity — making a live, audit-ready IHM the single best defence against detention.
The latest GMS and Hellenic Shipping News market commentary keeps Bangladesh in the price lead among South Asian recycling hubs, with Pakistan (Gadani) firming on healthier domestic steel demand — even diverting some tonnage from the East — while India (Alang) remains the lowest-priced destination on a weaker rupee and soft steel fundamentals. Across all hubs a persistent shortage of recycling candidates, elevated charter rates and geopolitical uncertainty continue to keep owners holding back on sales. With the Hong Kong Convention in force, no vessel beaches without a verified Inventory of Hazardous Materials and a yard-matched Ship Recycling Plan — continuous IHM maintenance remains the gate to a clean, compliant sale.
The ECHA Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) public consultation on the universal PFAS restriction under REACH closed on 25 May 2026. SEAC will now review the submissions and adopt its final opinion (expected end-2026) before the European Commission drafts an amendment to Annex XVII of REACH. Alongside the SOLAS Chapter II-2 PFOS prohibition in force since 1 January 2026 (MSC.532(107)), the direction of travel is clear: maritime is moving to fluorine-free (F3) firefighting foam and PFAS-free coatings and sealants. Every substitution must be captured in IHM Part I Material Declarations and Suppliers’ Declarations of Conformity — keeping continuous IHM maintenance the documentary backbone of PFOS/PFAS readiness and Port State Control compliance.
On 26 June 2026 the Hong Kong International Convention completes its first full year in force. New ships delivered on or after 26 June 2025 must already carry a verified IHM Part I at delivery; every existing ship of 500 GT and above must hold a valid International Certificate on the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (ICIHM) by its first renewal survey, and in any case no later than 26 June 2030. With the EU unified ICIHM/IRfRC format (Implementing Decision 2026/116) now operational, a single certificate satisfies both the HKC and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation — but only if the underlying Inventory of Hazardous Materials is kept continuously up to date throughout the ship’s operational life.
As of today, 21 May 2026, the transposition deadline for Directive (EU) 2024/1203 on the protection of the environment through criminal law has been reached. Falsified IHM documentation, illicit ship recycling and unlawful transboundary waste shipments are now criminal offences across EU Member States — sanctions reach up to 10 years’ imprisonment for individuals and corporate fines up to 5% of total worldwide turnover (or EUR 40 million). The same day, the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) under Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 becomes mandatory, replacing paper Annex VII notifications for all EUSRR-controlled ship-recycling waste streams. Continuous, audit-ready IHM Part III maintenance is now a legal-liability matter, not just a compliance task.
On the eve of the 21 May 2026 mandatory start, recycling and waste-management associations have called for a coordinated transition period of at least one year. Technical specifications were only published at the end of January 2026, operator pre-registration has not yet begun, and the user interface is not fully operational. The revised Annex VII form is digital-only with no paper fallback, while the two-working-day pre-notification rule strains time-sensitive shipments. For ship recyclers, the safest position is documented, audit-ready IHM Part III data prepared to feed DIWASS the moment access opens.
The latest South Asia ship-recycling market commentary shows Bangladesh retaining the price lead among the major recycling hubs, even as heavy rains and flooding disrupt daily operations at Chattogram and halt some yards. Gadani (Pakistan) firmed on stronger domestic steel-plate demand and restocking, while Alang (India) stayed subdued amid weak steel fundamentals and a persistent shortage of recycling tonnage. With the Hong Kong Convention in force, every recycling candidate needs a verified Inventory of Hazardous Materials and a yard-matched Ship Recycling Plan before beaching — making continuous IHM maintenance the gate to a clean, compliant sale.
The ECHA Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) public consultation on the universal PFAS restriction under REACH closes on 25 May 2026. The proposed restriction, alongside the SOLAS Chapter II-2 PFOS prohibition in force since 1 January 2026 (MSC.532(107)), is accelerating the maritime shift to fluorine-free (F3) firefighting foam. Every replacement foam, coating and sealant must be reflected in IHM Part I Material Declarations and Supplier’s Declarations of Conformity — making continuous IHM maintenance the documentary backbone of PFOS/PFAS compliance and Port State Control readiness.
Final-week countdown: on 21 May 2026 EU Member States must transpose Directive (EU) 2024/1203, criminalising falsified IHM documentation, illicit ship recycling and unlawful transboundary waste shipments — sanctions up to 10 years’ imprisonment for natural persons and corporate fines up to 5% of total worldwide turnover (or EUR 40 million). The same day, the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) under Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 replaces paper Annex VII notifications for all EUSRR-controlled ship-recycling waste streams. Combined with EU SRR Implementing Decision 2026/116 unified ICIHM/IRfRC certificate, this closes a long-standing audit gap with IHM Part III.
ClassNK has issued its second Statement of Compliance with the Hong Kong Convention to a Pakistan yard at Gadani — following Prime Green Recycling Yard’s January 2026 first-mover certification. With two HKC-compliant yards operational, Pakistan signals its intent to reclaim relevance in the sustainable ship-recycling market alongside Alang (115 of 128 plots HKC-compliant) and Bangladesh (28 facilities authorised). 31 green shipbreaking plots are targeted at Gadani by mid-2026 under a Rs 12 billion green-yard upgrade. IHM Part III audit chains tighten as ICIHM and IRfRC certificates converge under EU SRR Implementing Decision 2026/116.
GMS, BIMCO and major Greek shipowner associations have intensified their call for the European Commission to add Indian recycling yards to the EU Ship Recycling List. More than 110 Indian yards hold IACS-issued HKC Statements of Compliance and Alang now has 115 of 128 plots HKC-compliant — collectively ~4.5 million LDT/year, exceeding the combined operational capacity of the 41 facilities on the 15th edition European List (adopted 27 February 2026). The EU–India ship-recycling cooperation plan has triggered fresh debate on whether the EU SRR’s additional PFOS, brominated flame retardants and certain perfluorinated compounds in IHM Part I justify the continued exclusion.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs has reconfirmed the timeline to bring 31 green shipbreaking plots at Gadani online by mid-2026, backed by a Rs 12 billion (~USD 42 million) federal project covering a hazardous-waste treatment plant, one-window facilitation centre, rescue and fire-safety services, hospital, clean-water supply and improved access roads. Pakistan targets a USD 2 billion ship-recycling market over the next decade. 400 conflict-impacted vessels are reportedly being assessed for recycling. Robust IHM Part I Material Declarations and SDoCs at delivery remain the gating evidence for HKC Statement-of-Compliance audits.
International experts gathered at IMO Headquarters London on 12 May 2026 to discuss the operational hazmat profile of LNG, bio-methane and e-methane bunkering and the Well-to-Wake intensity reporting that feeds into the IMO Net-Zero Framework (adoption track to MEPC/ES.2 resumed October 2026) and FuelEU Maritime compliance balance. New cryogenic-fuel handling material declarations are expected to feed directly into IHM Part II (operationally generated wastes) and Part III (stores) refresh cycles for dual-fuel newbuilds and retrofits.
From 21 May 2026 every operator engaged in transboundary waste shipments under Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 — including EUSRR-controlled ship-recycling waste streams — must submit notifications, consents and Annex VII documents exclusively through the central DIWASS system, an interconnected national digital platform, or compatible interconnected software. Paper-based Annex VII becomes inadmissible. Combined with the unified ICIHM/IRfRC certificate (Implementing Decision 2026/116) and the new criminal-liability regime under Directive 2024/1203, this represents the single biggest enforcement uplift to IHM Part III auditability since EU SRR entry into force.
The first FuelEU Maritime reporting deadline closed on 31 January 2026, with shipowners submitting vessel data covering 1 January – 31 December 2025. Third-party verification was due by 31 March 2026. Varuna Sentinels BV supports maritime companies with integrated compliance and decarbonisation reporting tools.
IMO’s MEPC 83 completed the first phase of the CII review, setting Carbon Intensity Indicator reduction factors for 2027–2030. Additionally, cybutryne thresholds in IHM Guidelines were clarified, and methane/N2O measurement guidelines for marine engines were finalised. Varuna Sentinels BV helps shipowners track CII ratings and maintain IHM compliance through its integrated platform.
Riviera Maritime Media featured Varuna Sentinels BV in an article examining key questions shipowners should ask about IHM maintenance, highlighting the importance of digital compliance platforms and the role of expert IHM service providers in meeting EUSRR and HKC requirements.
Varuna Sentinels BV launched VSMPS, an AI-powered end-to-end marine procurement platform for sustainable and compliant maritime procurement planning.
Varuna Sentinels BV is an active member of the IMPA SAVE IMEF Initiative, developing a standardized framework for calculating Product Carbon Footprint of maritime products.
Varuna Sentinels BV received the IHM Expert Acceptance Certificate from the Republic of Liberia, confirming compliance with MEPC Resolution 379(80). Valid until January 24, 2028.
Varuna Sentinels BV launched the LCA Portal, enabling shipowners to gain end-to-end visibility of environmental impact and align with global decarbonisation goals.
Varuna Sentinels BV launched the Computer Based Training Portal — 20 class-aligned modules covering IHM, HKC/EUSRR, PFAS, MARPOL, BWM, FuelEU and LCA. Each module cites the primary IMO, EU or ISO source regulation it teaches so Designated Persons, ship managers and trainees can trace every learning outcome to its authoritative reference.
Varuna Sentinels BV launched the Live Reporting Portal for real-time maritime compliance monitoring and analytics, giving fleet managers centralized digital visibility.
Varuna Sentinels BV was approved by RINA for conducting IHM surveys onboard ships. Valid until October 17, 2027.
Varuna Sentinels BV introduced advanced automation to revolutionize IHM compliance, streamlining regulatory adherence and enhancing supply chain transparency.
Hellenic Shipping News highlighted Varuna Sentinels' IHM software as a technology enabler for the maritime circular economy with blockchain-based component tracking.
Varuna Sentinels BV was selected to provide IHM Maintenance for the Hapag-Lloyd fleet using its cloud-based VSIMS software. Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world's largest container shipping lines.
Varuna Sentinels BV was selected to provide IHM Maintenance Services for Interunity Management Corporation S.A.'s fleet using its cloud-based VSIMS software.
Varuna Sentinels BV is a Solution Partner on DNV's Veracity marketplace, indicating a formal technology partnership with DNV for maritime digital solutions.
Varuna Sentinels BV has expanded to 5 offices across the Netherlands, Singapore, and India, bringing 15+ years of maritime compliance experience.
Come and meet our team at these industry exhibitions and conferences. We showcase the full VS Solutions platform — IHM Maintenance, Live Reporting Portal, Computer-Based Training, VSMPS Marine Procurement and VS Life Cycle Assessment.
Varuna Sentinels BV exhibited at Sea Japan 2026 (Stand 4F-06, Tokyo Big Sight) — the premier maritime exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region. Our team engaged with Japanese shipowners, technical managers and class society partners on EU ETS reporting, FuelEU Maritime, CII optimisation, IMO Net-Zero Framework readiness, and demonstrated the integrated VS Solutions platform including CyberSmart AI for maritime compliance.
Varuna Sentinels BV participated in Asia Pacific Maritime 2026 — the region’s premier maritime trade show — showcasing the full VS Solutions platform and our comprehensive compliance toolkit for EU ETS, UK ETS, FuelEU Maritime, CII and IHM Maintenance to shipowners, managers and operators across the Asia-Pacific region.
Varuna Sentinels BV exhibited at the 10th edition of Sea Asia — the premier maritime conference and exhibition in Asia. We engaged with shipowners, operators and technical managers on EU ETS compliance, FuelEU Maritime pooling and the VS Solutions platform.
Varuna Sentinels BV participated in Bari-Ship 2025 in Imabari — the heart of Japan’s largest maritime industry cluster. We connected with Japanese shipowners, shipbuilders and operators to discuss emissions compliance, the VS Solutions platform and IHM maintenance under the Hong Kong Convention.
Varuna Sentinels BV exhibited at Europort 2025 in our home port of Rotterdam. With full EU ETS 100% coverage approaching in 2026 and UK ETS launching in July, we engaged with the European maritime community on compliance readiness and the VS Solutions platform.
Varuna Sentinels BV exhibited at Marintec China 2025 — the largest international maritime exhibition in Asia-Pacific. We showcased the VS Solutions platform and compliance solutions to the Chinese and global maritime community at this landmark event spanning over 100,000 sqm.
Varuna Sentinels BV exhibited at Posidonia 2024 — the world’s most prestigious maritime event. With the EU ETS maritime extension just months into its first year at 40% coverage and FuelEU Maritime approaching, we engaged with the global shipping community on compliance strategies and the VS Solutions platform.
Varuna Sentinels BV attended SMM 2024 — the world’s leading maritime trade fair. With over 2,000 exhibitors and 40,000 participants from 120+ countries, SMM provided an ideal platform to present our compliance solutions and the VS Solutions platform to the global maritime industry.
Varuna Sentinels BV exhibited at Europort 2023 — one of the world’s largest maritime B2B platforms. With 26,000 professional visitors and 1,040 exhibiting companies, we presented our IHM maintenance and VS Solutions platform in our home port of Rotterdam.
Varuna Sentinels BV exhibited at Posidonia 2022 — which attracted nearly 2,000 exhibitors from 88 countries and over 28,000 visitors. We presented our maritime compliance services and early VS Solutions platform capabilities as the industry prepared for the landmark EU ETS maritime extension.
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