Shipping is a global industry, accounting for about 90% of the transport of goods worldwide. Commercial ships operate under a comprehensive international regulatory framework, primarily governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). To ensure maritime safety, environmental protection, and seafarers’ employment and training standards, the regular conduct of Flag Ship Inspections (FSI), as prescribed by the regulations, plays a crucial role.

In 2025, the maritime landscape is experiencing significant disruptions from both operational and regulatory perspectives. Digital technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), are driving a paradigm shift in shipping operations, maintenance, inspections, and reporting. Data-driven maintenance decisions are now being made by harnessing the power of digital technologies, enabling real-time equipment performance monitoring.

On the regulatory side, several important EU and international regulations, with amendments coming into force in 2025, mainly focus on environmental and reporting compliance. Flag Ship Inspections (FSI) are an integral part of both operational and regulatory requirements, making 2025 significant from this perspective.

The Genesis of FSI

The shipping of goods via vessels can be traced back centuries, albeit without any regulations. A formal effort was made in 1958 with the establishment of the Convention on the High Seas to initiate regulations on operations and safety aspects of shipping. This was further strengthened and codified through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, with Flag State duties, and FSI emerging as a vital part of it. Over time, statutory requirements on FSI have been revised periodically to enhance credibility and effectiveness.

The Importance of FSI in 2025

The European Commission adopted a maritime safety package in December 2024, including a proposal for compliance with flag state requirements. The revision of the rules includes digitalization, improved inspections, and better cooperation between flag states to align with international rules on safety, pollution prevention, and improvement of working conditions through inspections and surveys.

Environmental Regulations

Some of the important environmental obligations that come into effect in 2025 are worth noting:

• January 2025: The discharge of oil and oily mixtures within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Special Areas, as well as the discharge of garbage in the Red Sea Special Area, will be prohibited.
• As part of the gradual decarbonization of shipping fuels, shipping companies will have to report their emissions through THETIS MRV, operated and maintained by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). THETIS-MRV is the EU MRV system to report CO2 emissions from ships, as per EU regulation 2015/757.
• May 2025: The Mediterranean Sea will effectively become an Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides (SOx) under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14. This implies that when operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the sulphur content of the fuel used on board shall not exceed 0.10%, unless using an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) ensuring an equivalent SOx emission level.
• July 2025: Finland will completely forbid the discharge of all wastewaters from ships within its territorial waters. This ban applies to all cargo ships and prohibits the release of any wastewater, including greywater and blackwater, into the Baltic Sea.

The data points related to the above can be captured and reported as needed in line with the FSI discipline.

Digital Shipping Platform

Digitalization of shipping operations, including inspection processes, is redefining FSI procedures and statutory reporting. Maritime robotics, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and underwater unmanned vehicles (UUVs), are expected to play a significant role in maritime operations. These robotic systems will enhance surveillance, environmental monitoring, and inspection processes, especially in dangerous and hard-to-reach areas.

Since February 2025, standardized procedures for completing the Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB) must be followed by companies. These include updated reporting forms and guidelines for logging operations under challenging water conditions. These records will be part of the auditing of FSI.

At the same time, to support the global digitalization trend, new amendments to the STCW Convention and Code on Electronic Seafarers’ Certificates are in force, since Jan 2025. These amendments to the STCW Convention (regulations I/1 and I/2) and STCW Code (section A-I/2) allow seafarers’ certification to be issued in electronic form and specify the minimum information that must be included on these certificates.

Conclusion

2025 is a pivotal year for shipping companies, with significant challenges from both operational and compliance perspectives. Seafarers who comply with FSI standards contribute to optimizing business operations, ultimately maximizing returns. Flag Ship Inspections (FSI) play a critical role in ensuring safe operations, preventing sanctions that could lead to heavy costs, protecting the environment, and enabling real-time reporting of inspections to statutory authorities.