Weekly maritime regulatory digest
The weekly briefing.
Week ending 22 September 2026 · Archived edition
Read the fast-scan summary · jump to a region
Med East
Ten Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service notices: firing exercises and firing area activation in the Saronikos Gulf and North Ionian Sea, submarine and aeronautical exercises, subsea cable maintenance off Chios, an oceanographic sampling survey, and four lights unlit across the Thracian Sea, Saronikos Gulf and North Evvoikos Gulf. Nav warnings
Med NW
One French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean order authorising an instrumented floating platform and wave buoy on the continental shelf, with an adjacent safety zone. Local
Tyrrhenian
Four Italian Coast Guard ordinances: swimming and rowing events at Piombino and Santa Margherita Ligure, and a wartime ordnance disposal operation off Elba. Local
Italy South
One Italian Coast Guard ordinance: an extended sub-bottom survey off Taranto, now running to 23 October. Local
Adriatic
Five Italian Coast Guard ordinances: coastal defence works at Chioggia and Civitanova Marche, a fireworks display at Vasto, and a windsurf championship and fishing competition at Vieste. Local
Med SW
Four Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute notices on Spain's Mediterranean coast: new buoyage near Alcanar and Cabo Creus, repositioned buoyage at Barcelona, and updated breakwater charting at Mataró. Nav / Hydrographic
Atl. SW
Four Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute notices: a repositioned light and a charted wreck on the River Guadalquivir near Cádiz, and new buoyage at Las Palmas and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Nav / Hydrographic
Atl. NW
Two French Maritime Prefecture Atlantic orders regulating navigation for the "24H ULTIM" event at Lorient and the start of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe race. Local
Bahamas
Five Bahamas Maritime Authority notices covering port state control deficiencies, archipelagic baselines, officer candidate assessment dates, statutory certificate extensions, and United States Coast Guard vessel recognition programmes. Safety
Marshall Is.
Two Marshall Islands Registry marine notices, added manually after last week's public-sourcing hold: shipboard marine pollution emergency plan approval, and the issuance and use of statutory certificates. Safety
Class
Lloyd's Register and DNV both summarised the International Maritime Organization sub-committee session that finalised revised methanol fuel guidelines and a new cargo lashing software standard. Safety
For any navigation warning or local ordinance, confirm positions, time windows, and chart updates with the issuing authority before operations.
40 notices
Eastern Mediterranean
Greece
Note: the same notices appear under two source labels in the data feed (Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service and Greece HNHS NAVWARNs). Each entry below represents a single unique notice.
1140/2026 — Patraikos–Korinthiakos Gulf, Agios Sostis Island — navigational notice
A navigational notice has been issued covering waters off Agios Sostis Island in the Patraikos and Korinthiakos Gulf area. Vessels transiting this stretch of the Greek coast should check the full notice with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before passing through.
1139/2026 — Saronikos Gulf and South Evvoikos Gulf — seawater, plankton and sediment sampling
The Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service is carrying out seawater, plankton and sediment sampling in the Saronikos Gulf and South Evvoikos Gulf. Vessels operating in these areas may encounter survey vessels and should maintain a safe distance and keep a sharp lookout.
1138/2026 — Karpathio Sea, southeast of Karpathos Island — aeronautical exercises without firing
Aeronautical exercises without live firing will take place southeast of Karpathos Island in the Karpathio Sea. Vessels in the area should be aware of increased aircraft activity, though no weapons firing is involved.
1137/2026 — Saronikos Gulf, Ifaistos area — submarine exercises
Submarine exercises are taking place in the Ifaistos area of the Saronikos Gulf. Vessels transiting this part of the gulf should keep a careful watch and maintain a safe distance from any naval activity.
1136/2026 — Saronikos Gulf, Megara Gulf — underwater weapons firing
Underwater weapons firing is taking place in the Megara Gulf area of the Saronikos Gulf. Vessels should avoid this area while the exercise is underway and confirm timings with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service.
1135/2026 — North Ionian Sea, Zakynthos Island — firing practice area "Palaiochorion" activated
The "Palaiochorion" firing practice area off Zakynthos Island in the North Ionian Sea has been activated. Vessels should avoid this designated area while it remains active.
1133/2026 — North Aegean Sea, Chios Island — subsea cable maintenance
Subsea cable maintenance work is being carried out near Chios Island in the North Aegean Sea. Vessels in the area should keep clear of the cable-laying operation and any associated support vessels.
1132/2026 — Thracian Sea, Strymonikos Gulf — light unlit
A navigation light in the Strymonikos Gulf, in the Thracian Sea, is currently unlit. Vessels relying on this light for navigation should exercise extra caution until it is repaired.
1131/2026 — Saronikos Gulf, Poros Island — light unlit
A navigation light off Poros Island in the Saronikos Gulf is currently unlit. Vessels navigating near Poros should exercise extra caution until the light is restored.
1130/2026 — North Evvoikos Gulf, Larmes Bay — light unlit
A navigation light at Larmes Bay in the North Evvoikos Gulf is currently unlit. Vessels navigating this area should exercise extra caution until the light is restored.
Northwestern Mediterranean
France · Mediterranean
Order 2026-381 — Authorisation for offshore instrumented platform and wave buoy — safety zone established
The French Maritime Prefecture for the Mediterranean has authorised the installation of an instrumented floating platform on the continental shelf for 36 months, along with a wave-measuring buoy for 12 months, on behalf of the company OCERGIE. A safety zone has been created around the installation, and vessels navigating in the area should keep clear of it.
Tyrrhenian Sea
Italy · Tyrrhenian
⚠ Italian Coast Guard ordinance links may become inactive once a temporary order expires. If a link is broken the notice has likely lapsed — confirm with the issuing harbour master's office if operational certainty is required.
Piombino 122/2026 — Swimming crossing event — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Piombino has issued an ordinance for a swimming crossing event, temporarily restricting navigation in the affected coastal waters. Vessels in the area should follow the marked safety zone and any instructions from safety craft during the event.
Santa Margherita Ligure 180/2026 — San Michele swimming race — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Santa Margherita Ligure has issued an ordinance restricting navigation for the San Michele swimming race. Vessels transiting this stretch of the Ligurian coast should avoid the marked race area for the duration of the event.
Santa Margherita Ligure 179/2026 — San Michele rowing race — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Santa Margherita Ligure has issued an ordinance restricting navigation for the San Michele rowing race. Vessels in the area should avoid the marked race course while the event is underway.
Portoferraio 70/2026 — Wartime ordnance disposal off Stecchi Due beach, Capoliveri (Elba) — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Portoferraio has ordered a safety zone off the Stecchi Due beach near Capoliveri, on the island of Elba, for the controlled disposal of wartime ordnance. Vessels should keep well clear of the marked area while the disposal operation is underway.
Southern Italy
Italy · South
⚠ Italian Coast Guard ordinance links may become inactive once a temporary order expires. If a link is broken the notice has likely lapsed — confirm with the issuing harbour master's office if operational certainty is required.
Taranto 255/2026 — Extension of PRISMA sub-bottom survey, to 23 October 2026 — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Taranto has extended an earlier ordinance covering a sub-bottom survey, now running from 24 September to 23 October 2026. Vessels operating off Taranto should keep clear of the survey vessel and its equipment during this period.
Adriatic Sea
Italy · Adriatic
⚠ Italian Coast Guard ordinance links may become inactive once a temporary order expires. If a link is broken the notice has likely lapsed — confirm with the issuing harbour master's office if operational certainty is required.
Chioggia 86/2026 — Coastal defence works at Isola Verde — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Chioggia has issued an ordinance for construction of coastal defence structures and dune restoration at Isola Verde, aimed at reducing the risk of sea flooding. Vessels navigating near Isola Verde should keep clear of the works area.
Vasto 44/2026 — Fireworks display, 29–30 September 2026 — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Vasto has issued an ordinance restricting navigation for a fireworks display taking place on 29 and 30 September 2026. Vessels in the area should avoid the marked safety zone during the display.
Civitanova Marche 52/2026 — New breakwaters and groyne restoration — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Civitanova Marche has issued an ordinance for the construction of new emerged breakwaters and the restoration of groynes along the coast. Vessels navigating close inshore should keep clear of the works area.
Vieste 43/2026 — Italian Windsurf Slalom and Fin Championship, Scialmarino — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Vieste has issued an ordinance restricting navigation for the Italian Windsurf Slalom and Fin Championship at Scialmarino. Vessels in the area should avoid the marked competition zone while the event is underway.
Vieste 42/2026 — Sport fishing competition in memory of Ugo Contini — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Vieste has issued an ordinance restricting navigation for a sport fishing competition organised in memory of a local angler. Vessels in the area should avoid the marked competition zone for the duration of the event.
Western Mediterranean
Spain · Mediterranean
These notices are from the Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute weekly bulletin (Grupo 38/2026, 19 September 2026).
38/229 — Les Cases D'Alcanar — new lit buoys established
Three new lit buoys have been established off Les Cases D'Alcanar on Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast. Vessels navigating this stretch of coast should update their chart annotations to reflect the new buoyage.
38/230 — Barcelona, Playa de Bogatell — buoyage repositioned
The buoyage marking the swimming area at Playa de Bogatell in Barcelona has been repositioned, with a new light buoy established and the previous marker removed. Vessels approaching this stretch of the Barcelona waterfront should update their chart annotations accordingly.
38/231 — Cabo Creus — new data buoys established
Two new automated data buoys have been established off Cabo Creus on Spain's north-eastern Mediterranean coast. Vessels navigating in the vicinity of Cabo Creus should update their chart annotations to reflect the new buoys.
38/233 — Puerto de Mataró — breakwater extension works charted
The alignment of the breakwater at the port of Mataró has been updated on the chart to reflect ongoing extension works. Vessels approaching Puerto de Mataró should be aware that the breakwater's charted extent has changed.
Cádiz & Canary Islands
Spain · Atlantic South
These notices are from the Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute weekly bulletin (Grupo 38/2026, 19 September 2026).
38/225 — River Guadalquivir, Caño de la Esparraguera — navigation light repositioned
A navigation light marking the Caño de la Esparraguera channel on the River Guadalquivir, near Cádiz, has been repositioned and its previous marker removed. Vessels using this river approach should update their chart annotations to reflect the new light position.
38/226 — River Guadalquivir, Punta Montijo — wreck charted
A wreck has been charted north of Punta Montijo on the River Guadalquivir. Vessels transiting this stretch of the river should navigate with caution and keep clear of the marked position.
38/227 — Puerto de Las Palmas, Canary Islands — new light established
A new light has been established at the port of Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Vessels approaching Puerto de Las Palmas should update their chart annotations to reflect the new aid to navigation.
38/228 — Puerto Colón, Tenerife — buoyage rearranged
The buoyage northwest of Puerto Colón on the island of Tenerife has been rearranged, with the previous light removed and its position updated on the chart. Vessels approaching Puerto Colón should update their chart annotations accordingly.
Northwest Atlantic
France · Atlantic
⚠ These orders are issued by the French Maritime Prefecture for the Atlantic. Links are to the official signed documents (PDF). Verify expiry dates with the issuing authority.
Order 2026-163 — Navigation regulated for the "24H ULTIM" offshore multihull event at Lorient, 25 September 2026
The French Maritime Prefecture for the Atlantic has issued an order regulating navigation for the "24H ULTIM" offshore multihull sailing event at Lorient on 25 September 2026. Vessels transiting this stretch of the Brittany coast on that date should confirm the restricted area and timings with the Prefecture.
Order 2026-160 — Maritime activities regulated for the start of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe race
The French Maritime Prefecture for the Atlantic has issued an order regulating maritime activities for the departure of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe transatlantic race. Vessels near the start line should expect restricted navigation and increased race and support vessel traffic around the event dates.
Flag State
Bahamas
IN014 — Recurring detainable deficiencies identified in port state control inspections
The Bahamas Maritime Authority has issued a notice highlighting the deficiencies that recur most often in port state control inspections and lead to vessel detention. Owners and masters of Bahamian-flagged vessels should review the notice and check that these areas are in order before their next inspection.
IN002 — Guidance on the Bahamas archipelagic baselines
The Bahamas Maritime Authority has published guidance explaining the archipelagic baselines used to define Bahamian waters. Vessels planning to operate in or transit Bahamian waters may find this useful for understanding where territorial and archipelagic limits apply.
IN001 — Dates announced for Bahamas officer candidate assessments
The Bahamas Maritime Authority has announced the dates for its assessments of officer candidates seeking Bahamian certificates of competency. Candidates and training providers should note the published schedule when planning applications.
TA007 — Guidance on statutory certificate extensions and convention compliance
The Bahamas Maritime Authority has issued guidance on extending statutory certificates while remaining compliant with international convention requirements. Owners and managers of Bahamian-flagged vessels with certificates approaching expiry should review this guidance before requesting an extension.
TA001 — Guidance on the United States Coast Guard's vessel recognition programmes
The Bahamas Maritime Authority has issued guidance on the United States Coast Guard's vessel recognition programmes, which reward vessels with strong compliance records with reduced inspection frequency. Bahamian-flagged vessels trading to United States ports may benefit from reviewing their eligibility.
Flag State
Marshall Islands
These two Marine Notices did not appear in the automated source feed and could not be independently confirmed via public information last week. Direct links to the Registry's public PDFs are now confirmed and both are added here manually.
Marine Notice 2-013-4 — Approval of Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans for Oil and Noxious Liquid Substances
The Marshall Islands Registry's marine notice on shipboard marine pollution emergency plans sets out the Administrator's policy for approving these plans, including how the approval procedure applies when a vessel changes flag. Owners and masters of Marshall Islands-flagged vessels should ensure their oil and noxious liquid substance emergency plans are approved in line with this notice.
Marine Notice 2-011-4 — Issuance and Use of Statutory Certificates
The Marshall Islands Registry's marine notice on the issuance and use of statutory certificates sets out the Administrator's policy on the types of statutory certificates issued to Marshall Islands-flagged vessels and how they should be used. Owners and masters should refer to this notice when confirming which certificate type applies to their vessel.
Classification Society
Lloyd’s Register
Lloyd's Register summary — International Maritime Organization sub-committee finalises revised methanol fuel guidelines
Lloyd's Register has published a summary of the International Maritime Organization sub-committee session on the carriage of cargoes and containers, held from 14 to 18 September 2026. The session finalised revised guidelines for using methanol and ethanol as ship fuel and added a new performance standard for cargo lashing software.
Classification Society
DNV
DNV summary — International Maritime Organization sub-committee revises methanol fuel guidelines
DNV has published its own summary of the same International Maritime Organization sub-committee session, held from 14 to 18 September 2026. The session revised the guidelines for using methanol and ethanol as ship fuel and continued work on rules for low-flashpoint oil fuels and onboard carbon capture and storage systems.
No matching notices. Clear your search or choose another filter.
From regulatory awareness
to operational clarity.
Understand the implications for your flag state, trading area and onboard procedures.