The weekly briefing.

Navigation Warning 280/2026 has been formally cancelled and is no longer in force. Remove this restriction from passage planning records.

Research operations are under way in the Samos Sea in the vicinity of Samos and Ikaria Islands. Vessels transiting or anchoring in this area should review the designated boundaries and maintain clear of the operational zone.

A geophysical and environmental survey is under way in the Ionian Sea. Vessels in the area should maintain clear of the survey vessel and its operational zone for the duration of the survey.

Hellenic Navy exercises are taking place in the Laconian Gulf off the south-eastern Peloponnese. Confirm the active time window and exact boundaries with the issuing authority before planning passage through this area.

A navigation light in the Kavala Gulf in the Thrakiko Sea has been reported unlit. Update chart annotations and exercise increased caution on night approaches in this area.

A navigation light at the Kalapodia Islets in the south-east Aegean Sea has been reported unlit. Mark the position in chart annotations and plan approaches with added caution after dark.

A navigation light off Sifnos Island in the South Aegean Sea has been reported unlit. Update chart records for this part of the Cyclades and take extra care on night approaches.

A shallow water hazard has been notified off Thasos Island in the Thrakiko Sea. Update chart annotations for this area and ensure adequate under-keel clearance is maintained when approaching or passing Thasos.

A new lightbuoy has been installed off Chalki Island in the Rodos Sea. Update chart records to reflect the new aid to navigation in this area.

Naval exercises without live firing are taking place in the Saronikos Gulf. Confirm the active time window and designated area with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before transiting or anchoring in the area.

Navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports in the 300-metre coastal strip off Cogolin in the Var are subject to regulatory controls. Review the order for permitted activities and restricted zones before approaching this coastline.

Navigation, anchoring, and diving within the 300-metre coastal strip off Cannes in the Alpes-Maritimes are temporarily restricted on 24 March 2026 during a drone display event. Vessels intending to anchor or approach the Cannes seafront on that date should review the order for the exact restricted zone and time window.

An existing mooring zone authorisation in the Baie de Rayol off Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer in the Var has been amended. Review the updated order for the revised boundaries and conditions before anchoring or mooring in this bay.

An existing mooring zone authorisation in the Baie de Canadel off Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer in the Var has been amended. Review the updated order for the revised boundaries and conditions before anchoring or mooring in this bay.

A new set of operating rules has been established for the mooring zone in the Baie du Rayol off Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer. Vessels intending to use this mooring zone should read the order before arrival to understand the permitted conditions and restrictions.

A new set of operating rules has been established for the mooring zone in the Baie du Canadel off Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer. Vessels intending to use this mooring zone should read the order before arrival to understand the permitted conditions and restrictions.

Navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports in the 300-metre coastal strip off Argelès-sur-Mer in the Pyrénées-Orientales are subject to regulatory controls. Review the order for permitted activities and restricted zones before approaching this coastline.

Navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports in the 300-metre coastal strip off Monticello in Haute-Corse are subject to regulatory controls. Review the order for permitted activities and restricted zones before approaching this stretch of the Corsican coastline.

Access to the Banchina Toscana berth at Porto Santo Stefano in the Tyrrhenian Sea has been temporarily prohibited. Vessels intending to use this berth should check with the local harbour master's office before arrival.

An additional vessel has been integrated into the scope of Ordinance 185/2025 governing operations off Salerno. Operators in the Salerno area should review the updated ordinance to understand any revised operational boundaries or restrictions.

An additional vessel has been integrated into the scope of Ordinance 31/2025 governing operations off Salerno. Operators in the Salerno area should review the updated ordinance to understand any revised operational scope.

A morphological and bathymetric survey with sediment sampling is authorised at Banchina 2 in the Porto Grande di Siracusa from 16 March to 30 April 2026. Vessels using or approaching this berth should be aware of survey operations and the associated access restrictions during this period.

A submarine is authorised to operate in submerged mode within a designated area off Siracusa. Fishing, diving, navigation, and access restrictions apply within the notified zone — vessels must maintain clear of the submarine's operational area.

A monitoring programme under the 2025 Operational Activity Plan is under way in the waters off Siracusa, covering diving, navigation, bathing, and fishing restrictions within the survey area. Vessels and divers should maintain clear of the designated operational zone.

A fireworks display is authorised at Gallico Marina in the commune of Reggio Calabria. Navigation, fishing, diving, and bathing restrictions apply in the near-shore area during the event — confirm the exact time window and exclusion zone before approaching this part of the Calabrian coast.

An integration to Ordinance 103/2010 governing navigation, fishing, and access in the waters off Corigliano Calabro on the Ionian coast has been published. Operators in this area should review the updated document to confirm the current scope of any navigation or fishing restrictions in force.

Temporary navigation prohibitions have been adopted within the port area of Trieste. Vessels calling at or transiting Trieste port should check with the local harbour master's office for the current restricted zones before manoeuvring.

Works associated with an oyster farming operation in the waters off Rimini have been extended under an integration dated 2 March 2026 to Ordinance 23/2025. Vessels navigating, fishing, or diving in this area should be aware of the ongoing regulated works activity and any updated access conditions.

The Dubai Maritime Authority has issued a comprehensive circular addressed to all vessel owners, operators, masters, crew members, and water sports practitioners operating in Dubai waters. It sets out mandatory requirements covering vessel licensing, seaworthiness checks before sailing, navigation light operation, life jacket use, safe speed and wake restrictions inside waterways and near marinas, prohibited entry to restricted zones, environmental discharge rules, and specific navigation limits for Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Harbour, Dubai Water Canal (maximum draft 2.5 m, air draft 7.0 m, length overall 35 m, speed 7 knots), and areas in front of Dubai Ladies Club. Commercial vessels are prohibited from anchoring or switching off their automatic identification system without prior authority approval. Non-compliance exposes operators to fines under Dubai legislation.

The Dubai Maritime Authority has issued a circular to all jet ski rental operators in Dubai, confirming mandatory pre-rental safety checks including hull integrity, side mirrors, and remote tracking and control systems programmed to authority-approved speed zones. All instructors must be licensed by the Dubai Maritime Authority, hold a valid training certificate, wear a standardised uniform displaying their job title, and carry their identification at all times. Jet skis may not be operated beyond two nautical miles from the shoreline, and rental activities may only take place within authority-approved areas and times. Operators must also maintain an emergency response plan and waste management records.

Live firing exercises at Pembroke Ranges, Malta, are scheduled for 23 to 27 March 2026 with extended hours in force. Vessels navigating in the adjacent coastal waters should review the designated safety area and avoid the restricted zone during the exercise periods.

Live firing exercises at Pembroke Ranges, Malta, are scheduled for Sunday 22 March 2026. Vessels in the adjacent coastal waters should avoid the designated safety area for the duration of the exercise.

An unexploded ordnance survey is being conducted along the proposed route for a second power interconnector cable. Vessels in the survey area should maintain clear of the survey vessel and its operational zone during the survey period.

Motor Tanker Arctic Metagaz has been reported as not under command. Vessels in the vicinity should maintain a safe distance and exercise heightened caution — confirm the vessel's current position with the issuing authority before operating nearby.

The Marshall Islands Registry has reissued its incident learning bulletin reinforcing the controls required for safe entry into enclosed spaces on board yachts, including atmosphere testing, rescue readiness, and permit procedures. This is recommended crew briefing material for all vessels.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has published Marine Guidance Notice 715 setting out recommended best practice for the respectful and safe use of shared spaces on board vessels, covering both merchant and fishing fleets. Designated persons ashore and vessel managers should review the guidance and consider how it applies to crew welfare arrangements.

Steel pile repair works are under way at the Roro jetty at Kuala Perlis. Vessels calling at or manoeuvring near this terminal should exercise caution and be aware of construction activity in the berth area.

Vessels are permitted to anchor and wait within the designated lay-up area inside Kuantan port limits under an arrangement with Sapura Alliance. Operators intending to use this anchorage should review the notice for the applicable conditions and boundaries.

A visual inspection of the single buoy mooring owned by Petron Malaysia Refining and Marketing is under way at Port Dickson. Vessels in the vicinity should maintain clear of the mooring and any inspection support craft during the operation.

Works to remove the remains of a collapsed jetty owned by Petron Malaysia Refining and Marketing are under way at Port Dickson. Vessels navigating or approaching this part of the port should exercise caution and maintain clear of the debris removal area.

Lloyd's Register has published its summary report from the International Maritime Organization Ship Systems and Equipment Sub-Committee session 12, held 9–13 March 2026. The session progressed measures to strengthen fire detection in container ships, advanced fire safety work for vehicle carriers transporting new-energy vehicles, and agreed to develop interim guidelines for vessels using battery energy storage systems.

DNV has published its report on the International Maritime Organization Ship Systems and Equipment Sub-Committee session 12, covering fire safety measures for container ships and vehicle carriers transporting new-energy vehicles, and interim guidelines for battery energy storage systems on ships. Operators considering alternative-energy vessels should review the outcomes for the implications on upcoming regulatory requirements.

From 1 May 2026, all energy efficiency design index speed trials for newbuildings must be conducted under the 2025 or 2024 revised international speed trial standards — the 2015 standard will no longer be accepted. Owners and operators with vessels currently under construction or due for delivery should confirm with their shipyard and class surveyor that trials are planned to the correct standard.

DNV has announced an alternative certification scheme for shipboard control and monitoring systems that do not meet the criteria of the conventional certification process. Operators and designers with DNV-classed vessels whose systems may fall outside standard certification routes should review the scheme to understand the available pathway to compliance.