We are proud to have successfully completed another training session!
The Annual Refreshing Training for GR Surveyors Network, conducted by Phoenix Register of Shipping at the Eugenides Foundation, was a great success.
Our warmest thank you to the Eugenides Foundation for their hospitality and seamless support, and to everyone who joined us and contributed with their engagement and professionalism.
Together, we remain committed to advancing safety and quality across the maritime sector.

Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Dates: N/A
The purpose of this NL is to inform all Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels about the Marine Advisory: 39/2025 - Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Machinery and Electrical Failures issued by the Liberian Register, regarding a significant increase in machinery and electrical failures among ships navigating regions characterized by dense traffic, complex tidal patterns, and challenging meteorological conditions. Such failures have resulted in serious navigational incidents, prompting expanded Port State Control (PSC) inspections and stricter enforcement measures.
These incidents have raised concerns regarding navigational safety, environmental protection, and continuity of port operations.
Sudden failures such as main engine breakdowns, steering gear malfunctions, or power blackouts may lead to:
PSC Enforcement Actions
Any vessel experiencing mechanical or electrical failure within PSC navigable waters can be subject to an expanded PSC inspection. Focus areas may include:
Vessels found with concealed or unresolved deficiencies risk:
Preventive Measures for Ship Operators
1.Pre-Departure and Pre-Entry Checks
2. Critical Operational Controls
3. Maintenance and Training
Mandatory Deficiency Reporting
Any machinery or electrical defect must be reported immediately to:
Concealment of defects can be treated as violations of SOLAS, MARPOL, and the ISM Code, potentially resulting in detention and legal proceedings.
Immediate Actions Recommended
All owners, operators, and masters are advised to:
References:
Shanghai MSA Circular on Machinery and Electrical Failures (2025)
For the complete text please find attached Marine Advisory 39/2025.
Also, find attached Questionnaire for the 2025 CIC on Machinery and Electrical Failures.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Dates: N/A
EMSA has released a new set of video tutorials designed specifically to help shipping companies meet the requirements of the FuelEU Maritime regulation and navigate the THETIS-MRV platform with ease.
The following three step-by-step videos are now available:
Guidance on correctly reporting voyage data and associated port emissions.
Instructions on how to manage and report voyages that need to be divided within the system.
A comprehensive walkthrough on preparing and submitting the annual FuelEU Maritime report.
These tutorials can be accessed directly through the dedicated THETIS-MRV tutorial page for companies and form part of EMSA’s ongoing efforts to support shipping companies in fulfilling their reporting obligations efficiently and accurately.
In addition, EMSA — in collaboration with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport — has produced a series of FuelEU Maritime webinars, which are available for replay on EMSA’s YouTube channel. These webinars offer further insights into the regulation and its implementation.
These new resources provide shipping companies with practical, user-friendly guidance to support compliance and streamline reporting processes.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Dates: N/A
The purpose of this NL is to inform all interested parties about Liberia’s Marine Advisory 36/2025 (available here) aiming to alert Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Engine department personnel of very serious marine casualties involving Liberian-flagged vessels, specifically related to improper securing of heavy engine spares and inadequate engine room heavy weather preparedness.
Objectives:
Marine Casualties Summaries - Background:
The Administration has identified two very serious marine casualties involving unsecured cylinder heads under the same Company:
A. First Case - Fatal Injury:
A crew member died from excessive bleeding after being struck by a cylinder head in the engine room during rough weather. Emergency medical assistance was coordinated, but the crew members were unable to provide effective first aid.
B. Second Case - Vessel Grounding and Total Loss:
A blackout occurred when a cylinder head in the engine room struck the generator’s fuel system. Three crew members sustained injuries. The vessel team was unable to restore the power. The vessel lost propulsion, grounded with cargo and consumables onboard, and was declared a total loss due to hull damage.
Key Safety Failures Identified:
Requirements:
1.Reporting
2. Cooperation
3. Timely Investigation:
4. Review and Amend Safety Procedures:
5. Enhance Crew Training:
6. Improve Supervisory Oversight:
7. Strengthening Communication Protocols:
8. Fleet-wide Awareness:
The Administration emphasizes the importance of investigating marine casualties and implementing corrective and preventive measures, which are core responsibilities of every Company operating under the Liberian Flag.
The sources mentioned in the above text are available in the links listed below.
For more information, please contact the Investigations Department at investigations@liscr.com.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Dates: N/A
The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to draw the attention of ship-owners, operators, inspectors, masters and crew to the most common MARPOL Annex VI deficiencies raised during Port State Control (PSC) inspections of Liberian flagged vessels.
From the PSC reports, the Administration has compiled a list of most common MARPOL Annex VI deficiencies and has included in the table below Guidance to avoid these deficiencies:
Technical files and if applicable, monitoring manual
(MARPOL Annex VI/Reg. 13)
Record book of engine parameters
(MARPOL Annex VI/Reg. 13 and NOx Technical Code/6.2.2.7))
A ship equipped with a marine diesel engine required to undergo an Engine Parameter Check method shall maintain on board:
1. A Record Book of Engine Parameters;
2. An engine parameter list of an engine’s designated components and settings and/or the documentation of an engine’s load-dependent operating values approved by the Administration; and
3. Technical documentation of engine component modification when such a modification is made to any of the engine’s designated engine components.
Record book of engine parameters (NOx Technical Code/6.2.2.8)
Approved method
(MARPOL Annex VI/Reg. 13.7.1 to 13.7.5)
Refer to Liberia MN POL-009/12.2.6 to 12.2.8.
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
(MARPOL Annex VI/Reg. 13)
Ships equipped with EGR to comply with NOx levels shall:
1. Meet the EGR bleed-off water discharge standards
2. Have on board a manual for EGR bleed-off discharge system and EGR Record Book approved by the RO on behalf of the Administration
3. Have on board certificates of type approval and operating and maintenance manuals of oil content meters (15 ppm alarm)
Refer to Liberia MN POL-009/12.2.9.
EGR or Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
(MARPOL Annex VI/Reg. 13)
Refer to Liberia MN POL-009/12.2.9 and 12.2.10.
Diesel engine air pollution control (MARPOL Annex VI/reg. 13.6)
Refer to MN POL-009/12.2.5.
Fuel Sulphur Content and Fuel Oil change-over procedure and SOx Records
(MARPOL Annex VI/Reg. 14)
Alternative arrangements (SOx) - EGCS
(MARPOL Annex VI/Reg. 14)
Incinerator, including operations and operating manual
(MARPOL Annex VI/Reg. 16)
It is recommended that shipowners, operators, masters and crew inspect their vessels to ensure that these deficiencies are not present on board their vessels and if it is found that one or more exist, to resolve this as quickly as possible, using the noted references and other guidance.
For more information, please refer to the links below.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Regulations and Standards Department at RegsAndStandards@liscr.com.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Dates: N/A
As the reporting cycle for 2025 emissions approaches, it is essential for all operators to prepare for the upcoming verification milestones. To support timely compliance and ensure that PHRS can complete verification activities without delay, please review the key actions and deadlines outlined below.
This update covers requirements under:
Key Submission Deadlines
FuelEU
Refer to the FuelEU Timetable for a complete overview of compliance milestones, including issuance of the Document of Compliance and payment of any penalties.
EU MRV
Note: Some Administering Authorities may request verified data earlier, but not before 28 February 2026.
EU ETS
If a company no longer falls within EU ETS scope (e.g., no EU/EEA port calls in the reporting year), it may request that its MOHA be designated as “excluded.”
IMO DCS & CII
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Dates: 26 June 2025
This newsletter provides guidance to suppliers, shipyards, and ship-owners regarding the updated requirements for Material Declarations (MDs) confirming the presence or absence of cybutryne in products supplied for ship construction and maintenance. As of 26 June 2025, the threshold level for cybutryne has been revised to 200 mg/kg, and all declarations must follow the updated IMO-mandated format.
Cybutryne (CAS No. 28159-98-0) was added to the list of controlled substances under the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention). The IMO has mandated that suppliers declare whether cybutryne is present in any product delivered for installation onboard ships.
The latest amendments require the use of the updated material declaration format contained in Appendix 6 of Resolution MEPC.379(80), as amended by MEPC.405(83). This format must be applied to all MDs issued after 26 June 2025. MDs submitted in the outdated format will be considered non-compliant.
Therefore, a new MD in the updated format, reflecting the 200 mg/kg threshold for cybutryne, is required when new coating is supplied after 26 June 2025.
Material Declaration (MD) in accordance with Resolution MEPC.379(80) as amended by MEPC.405(83), shall be required for submission at each International Anti-Fouling System (IAFS) renewal survey and each Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) survey.
PHRS Technical Circular TC 302/25 is relevant, and available via PHRS public access point on https://eapp.phrs.gr/Home/Publications .
Additional information can be found here:
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Dates: 08 September 2025
The purpose of this Marine Advisory, issued by the Liberian Registry is to draw your attention to the OSPAR 25/14/01, Annex 10 “Intra North Sea Ballast Water Contingency and Compliance Area in accordance with BWM.2/Circ.62 and MEPC.387(81)”.
Background
In June 2025, the OSPAR Commission approved an "Intra North Sea Ballast Water Contingency Area" for ships to conduct ballast water exchange and treatment. This document was referenced as "OSPAR 25/14/01, Annex 10", wherein the North Sea States Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom have decided to establish an Intra North Sea Ballast Water Contingency Area for the purpose of Ballast Water Exchange plus Treatment in accordance with BWM.2/Circ.62 and MEPC.387(81). This Contingency Area became applicable on 27 June 2025 and will expire on 26 June 2030, unless extended by the aforementioned States. The map and coordinates of the Contingency Area are subject to review on a yearly basis, as appropriate.
Scope of Application
The Intra North Sea Ballast Water Contingency Area is shown on the map in Annex 1, with coordinates listed in Annex 2, of OSPAR 25/14/01, Annex 10 (reference a). Contingency measures are not allowed within 2 nautical miles of offshore structures such as windmills. Additional conditions are outlined in paragraph 9 of OSPAR 25/14/01, Annex 10.
OSPAR 25/14/01, Annex 10 applies to ships that:
Prerequisites for the use of the Ballast Water Contingency Area in the North Sea
A ship may only use the Ballast Water Contingency Area in the North Sea for an exchange using the BWMS (Ballast Water Exchange plus Treatment) under the following conditions:
Appropriate entries shall be made in the BWRB in each individual case.
Bypassing the BWMS
After a bypass agreed with the port State, the ship should carry out a decontamination procedure within the coordinates of the Intra North Sea Ballast Water Contingency Area, as described in Appendix 1 of MEPC.387(81) within the shortest possible distance within waters under the jurisdiction of the Port State in which the BWMS was bypassed to minimize the risk of the transfer of Harmful Organisms and Pathogens.
Map of the Intra North Sea Ballast Water Contingency Area
The contingency measures described in OSPAR 25/14/01, Annex 10 may be carried out in the area depicted in green in Annex 1, if the requirements of paragraphs 3 to 8 of OSPAR 25/14/01, Annex 10 are fully met. Carrying out contingency measures outside of the green areas is not allowed. Within the green area, a biosafety distance of 2 nm from all offshore structures should be maintained when conducting BWE+BWT. In addition, the normal navigational practices should be followed and the regulations regarding areas otherwise restricted (military exercise areas, aquaculture areas etc.) and VTS should be observed with due diligence. Furthermore, Marine Protected Areas are also excluded, and therefore, contingency measures may not be carried out in these areas. The Guidance documents relative to these areas should be consulted before commencing these operations.
Please find references for the text above in the following links:
For more information on this Marine Advisory, please contact the Regulations and Standards department at regsandstandards@liscr.com.
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Dates: N/A
The Liberian Administration has issued updates to Marine Notice POL-009 on the implementation of the 2021 Revised MARPOL Annex VI. Key amendments are summarized below:
• NOx Technical Code: Section 1.29.3 updated to reflect Resolution MEPC.397(83).
• EEDI Survey & Certification: Sections 4.2.1 and 4.3 now reference MEPC.1/Circ.855 (as amended) and the 2022 EEDI Guidelines (Resolution MEPC.403(83)).
• Early Implementation: Section 12.2.24 allows early application of Resolution MEPC.398(83).
• SCR Systems: New Section 12.2.10 inserted, addressing Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) requirements.
• Biofuels: Section 14.2 amended to align with new instructions on biofuel use.
• Flashpoint Reporting: Section 14.9.3 revised to include Resolution MSC.520(106) obligations where oil fuel fails minimum flashpoint standards.
• SEEMP Compliance: Annex IV (SEEMP Part II) and Annex V (SEEMP Part III) revised in line with the latest SEEMP Guidelines.
Action for Ship-owners & Operators
Ensure your vessels are updated in line with these regulatory changes, particularly regarding NOx certification, SCR installations, and fuel compliance reporting.
Additional information can be found here
Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels
Effective Dates: 1/11/2025
The Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) has announced that, effective 1 November 2025, a “Fit and Proper Person” process will be implemented for all applicants seeking Cook Islands maritime documents, in accordance with the Maritime Transport Act 2008.
This process applies to all applicants for CoCs, CoPs, Endorsement of Recognition Certificates, and Seaman’s Discharge Books.
All applications for these documents must include:
• Fully completed, signed, and dated Fit and Proper Person process
• Police Report
More details and forms are available below:
Fit and Proper Person Guidelines
Additional information can be found here.