ESG Support Hub

At Steamship Mutual we are committed to supporting our Members with their ESG and sustainability agendas. This may include supporting the transition to zero-carbon fuels, helping Members meet new regulatory requirements, and embracing emerging technologies.

Risk alerts

Navigating the Risks Behind Alternative Fuels

The IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy pushes shipping toward net-zero by 2050 through alternative fuels, balancing emissions reductions against safety, operational and commercial challenges.

By Gilmark DMello

Posted on January 09 2026

By Gilmark DMello

Published January 09 2026

Risk alerts

Safe Shipment of Plastic Pellets in Containers

Plastic pellets pose major environmental and financial risks when containers are lost at sea, prompting the IMO to issue guidance on packaging, labelling, and stowage to reduce spillage.

By Taslim Imad

Posted on December 18 2025

By Taslim Imad

Published December 18 2025

Risk alerts

Information Notices

Türkiye Pollution Restrictions and Associated Fines – Update 2026

Administrative fines for marine pollution in Turkish waters continue to be strictly enforced and are based on a vessel’s gross tonnage rather than spill quantity, environmental impact, or shipowner conduct.

By Taslim Imad

Posted on January 19 2025

By Taslim Imad

Published January 19 2025

Information Notices

Risk alerts

Managing Catfines in Marine Fuels

Minimising catfines in the fuel protects the engines ensuring operational and commercial reliability.

By Gilmark DMello

Posted on November 17 2025

By Gilmark DMello

Published November 17 2025

Risk alerts

Biofouling Management - Navigating Global Regulatory Requirements

By Gilmark DMello

Posted on September 03 2025

By Gilmark DMello

Published September 03 2025

Risk alerts

Ship Recycling – Understanding the Hong Kong Convention

The Hong Kong Convention mandates safe ship recycling at authorised facilities, requiring certified hazardous material inventories and coordinated compliance with overlapping international regulations.

By Gilmark DMello

Posted on June 02 2025

By Gilmark DMello

Published June 02 2025

Risk alerts

Loss Prevention

IMO New Emissions Control Areas for Mediterranean Sea, Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea

By Gilmark DMello

Posted on February 27 2025

By Gilmark DMello

Published February 27 2025

Loss Prevention

Articles

FuelEU Considerations for Time Charters

With thanks to Antonia Panayides (Partner) of Reed Smith

By Reed Smith

Posted on May 19 2025

By Reed Smith

Published May 19 2025

Articles

Fuel EU Maritime Overview

With thanks to Beth Bradley (Partner), Sophie Pollard (Legal Director) and Gabriella Matthews (Trainee) of Hill Dickinson

By Hill Dickinson

Posted on March 10 2025

By Hill Dickinson

Published March 10 2025

Articles

FuelEU Maritime Introduction

With a fast approaching deadline of 31 August 2024, we discuss the key aspects of the incoming FuelEU Maritime Regulation and remind Members of other important upcoming dates.

By David Griffiths

Posted on July 16 2024

By David Griffiths

Published July 16 2024

Articles

Steamship Mutual joins the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN)

The Club is now a member of MACN, the global business network of over 200 companies working towards the vision of a maritime industry free of corruption.

By Patrick Britton

Posted on September 18 2024

By Patrick Britton

Published September 18 2024

Articles

ISO 8217:2024 – the new standard

Seven years following the release of its predecessor, we discuss the key changes to the new marine fuel specification, and its importance to the industry as it begins its transition to net zero carbon emissions.

By David Griffiths

Posted on July 16 2024

By David Griffiths

Published July 16 2024

Articles

AMSA Marine Notice 2024/01 - Reduction of Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) from shipping

AMSA has issued Marine Notice 01/2024 which draws attention to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) non-mandatory Revised guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life. The revised guidelines, MEPC.1/Circ.906, took effect on 1 October 2023, they are available from the IMO website and supersede MEPC.1/Circ. 833.

By Taslim Imad

Posted on April 24 2024

By Taslim Imad

Published April 24 2024

Articles

Loss Prevention

Shipboard Biofouling Concerns and Regulations

This article addresses environmental risks of ship biofouling, emphasising the importance of stricter regulations and the IMO's 2023 guidelines for effective management, promoting environmental compliance and cost savings.

By Taslim Imad

Posted on January 29 2024

By Taslim Imad

Published January 29 2024

Loss Prevention

Articles

Maritime Transport and The European Union - Emissions Trading System EU ETS

The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), established in 2005, is a cap-and-trade system aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, now extending to maritime transport from January 2024. It requires entities to monitor, report, and surrender allowances, with penalties for non-compliance.

By Steamship Mutual

Posted on December 14 2023

By Steamship Mutual

Published December 14 2023

Articles

Steamship Mutual works with Vale SA on decarbonisation and carbon emission reduction projects

Vale SA is reducing shipping emissions through Anemoi Rotor sails and an Air Lubrication System. The Club supported the design and risk assessments, helping to achieve significant CO2 reductions.

By Steamship Mutual

Posted on November 24 2023

By Steamship Mutual

Published November 24 2023

Articles

Update on decarbonisation issues for shipping, October 2023

This is a busy period for new regulation coming on-line which impacts on shipping and the usual way of conducting business. Two regulations have come into force during 2023 from the international regulator, the International Maritime Organisation. Additionally, maritime is to be added to the existing EU Emissions trading scheme, which imposes a cost on creating Greenhouse Gas (‘GHG’) emissions within the EU.

By Hill Dickinson

Posted on November 07 2023

By Hill Dickinson

Published November 07 2023

Articles

Loss Prevention

Carriage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Containers

As demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) rises, shipping them in containers requires careful risk assessment due to the hazards of Lithium-Ion batteries. Additional safety measures, including inspections, stowage protocols, and crew training, are recommended to mitigate risks like thermal runaway and fire.

By Taslim Imad

Posted on September 28 2023

By Taslim Imad

Published September 28 2023

Loss Prevention

Articles

The Shipping Industry’s Fuel Choices on the Path to Net Zero

A recent report from GMF, GCMD, and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center explores alternative fuel options for decarbonizing fleets. It provides valuable insights for Members considering sustainable fuel choices for their vessels.

By Steamship Mutual

Posted on September 11 2023

By Steamship Mutual

Published September 11 2023

Articles

Loss Prevention

Marine Methanol: Future-Proof Shipping Fuel

The Methanol Institute's report highlights methanol's potential for a cost-effective, low-carbon transition in shipping. It compares methanol to alternative fuels and discusses its regulatory status and industry experience.

By Vijay Rao

Posted on June 14 2023

By Vijay Rao

Published June 14 2023

Loss Prevention

Panama Canal – Green Vessel Classification System

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) have recently issued an Advisory to Shipping No. A-12-2023 on the implementation of the Green Vessel Classification System as part of their ongoing commitment to protecting the environment and contribution towards international efforts on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

As stated in the advisory this new initiative will be part of the Panama Canal Green Route Plan 2050 and the 2030 Carbon Neutrality Commitment.

By Steamship Mutual

Posted on March 29 2023

By Steamship Mutual

Published March 29 2023

Loss Prevention

Electric vehicles onboard passenger roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ferries

The UK MCA's MGN 653(M) offers guidance on safely carrying electric vehicles on ro-ro ferries, covering fire safety, damaged vehicles, and charging. This is ahead of potential future IMO regulations on the matter.

By Steamship Mutual

Posted on August 10 2022

By Steamship Mutual

Published August 10 2022

Loss Prevention

Articles

Decarbonisation and shipping: EU Emissions Trading Scheme

This article updates Hill Dickinson’s article on decarbonisation and shipping published on the Club’s website on 18 January 2022, which included comments on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).

By Steamship Mutual

Posted on July 27 2022

By Steamship Mutual

Published July 27 2022

Articles

Decarbonisation - Charterparty and Bills of Lading Issues

The short term measures that will come into effect on the 1 January 2023 as part of the IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships were adopted at MEPC 76 in June 2021, and will be applied by way of Chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI.

By Malcolm Shelmerdine

Posted on February 18 2022

By Malcolm Shelmerdine

Published February 18 2022

Articles

Decarbonisation and Shipping - short term measures to improve ship efficiency

The impact of the emission of greenhouse gasses (‘GHG’) from industrial activities is increasingly a matter of commercial and regulatory focus in the maritime sector.

By Steamship Mutual

Posted on January 18 2022

By Steamship Mutual

Published January 18 2022

Articles

Olivia Byrne

ESG Executive

Direct Tel:

+44(0) 20 7650 6455

Email: [email protected]

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Sue Watkins

Head of Claims, Eastern Syndicate & ESG Director

Direct Tel:

+44 (0)20 7650 6447

Mobile:

+44 (0) 7771735669

Email: [email protected]

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Graham Jones

Chief Operating Officer

Direct Tel:

+44 (0)20 7650 6534

Mobile:

+44 (0) 7500799271

Email: [email protected]

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ESG Support Hub

ESG Resources

Navigating the Risks Behind Alternative Fuels

Safe Shipment of Plastic Pellets in Containers

Türkiye Pollution Restrictions and Associated Fines – Update 2026

Managing Catfines in Marine Fuels

Biofouling Management - Navigating Global Regulatory Requirements

Ship Recycling – Understanding the Hong Kong Convention

IMO New Emissions Control Areas for Mediterranean Sea, Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea

FuelEU Considerations for Time Charters

Fuel EU Maritime Overview

FuelEU Maritime Introduction

Steamship Mutual joins the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN)

ISO 8217:2024 – the new standard

AMSA Marine Notice 2024/01 - Reduction of Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) from shipping

Shipboard Biofouling Concerns and Regulations

Maritime Transport and The European Union - Emissions Trading System EU ETS

Steamship Mutual works with Vale SA on decarbonisation and carbon emission reduction projects

Update on decarbonisation issues for shipping, October 2023

Carriage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Containers

The Shipping Industry’s Fuel Choices on the Path to Net Zero

Marine Methanol: Future-Proof Shipping Fuel

Panama Canal – Green Vessel Classification System

Electric vehicles onboard passenger roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ferries

Decarbonisation and shipping: EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Decarbonisation - Charterparty and Bills of Lading Issues

Decarbonisation and Shipping - short term measures to improve ship efficiency

ESG Support Hub Leads

Olivia Byrne

Sue Watkins

Graham Jones