Weekly Maritime Regulatory Digest

A scientific research mission is being conducted across the Thermaikos Gulf (including the approaches to Thessaloniki), the Toronaios Gulf, and the Siggitikos Gulf in the northwest Aegean Sea. Vessels navigating or anchoring in these waters should be aware of research vessel activity and associated equipment, and give a wide berth to any vessels displaying the appropriate signals.

A navigation light on Ios Island in the central Aegean Sea (Cyclades) has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating the Cyclades and approaching Ios should update chart annotations and exercise caution on night approaches until the light is confirmed restored.

The Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service has cancelled three earlier navigation warnings: 565/2026, 650/2026, and 741/2026. Vessels that had previously noted these restrictions may treat the affected areas as clear, subject to verification with the issuing authority.

A new navigation light has been established at Irakleio Harbour on the north coast of Crete. Vessels making approaches to Irakleio should update their chart annotations to reflect this new light; chart and electronic chart display updates may not yet reflect this addition.

The Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service has cancelled navigation warning 732/2026. Vessels that had previously noted this restriction may treat the affected area as clear, subject to verification with the issuing authority.

A navigation light at Itea Harbour on the north coast of the Korinthiakos (Corinth) Gulf has been reported as operating unreliably. Vessels navigating the Korinthiakos Gulf and approaching Itea should not rely on this light for navigation and should exercise caution on night approaches until normal operation is confirmed.

The activation of the Plateia firing practice area in the Saronikos Gulf has been extended this week. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the Saronikos Gulf should confirm the current active time window and exclusion zone with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before approaching the Plateia area.

Port construction works are currently in progress in Thessaloniki Bay in the Thermaikos Gulf. Vessels navigating the inner Thermaikos Gulf and approaching Thessaloniki should confirm the current extent of the works area and any associated traffic management measures with Thessaloniki Port Authority before approaching.

Submarine cable laying operations are underway in the North Aegean Sea between Limnos Island and Thasos Island. Vessels navigating or anchoring in this area should maintain clear of the cable lay vessel and any associated spread of tugs, guard vessels, and cable equipment, and confirm the current operational area before transiting.

A scientific research mission is being conducted in the North Evoikos Gulf in the northwest Aegean Sea. Vessels navigating or anchoring in these waters should be aware of research vessel activity and associated equipment, and give a wide berth to any vessels displaying the appropriate signals.

Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions were established in the coastal waters off Toulon, Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, and La Garde on the Var coast for the treatment and disposal of an explosive device on 8 June 2026. Vessels that had noted this restriction should confirm with the French Maritime Prefecture whether the order has been fully lifted before operating in the affected area.

Navigation and anchoring restrictions have been established on the Étang de Thau lagoon off the communes of Mèze and Sète for the movement of the solar table convoy SOLARINTHAU between the port of Sète-Frontignan and its position within the shellfish farming concessions — scheduled for 7 June 2026, with 14 June as the contingency date. Vessels navigating or anchoring on the Étang de Thau on either of these dates should review the order for the applicable exclusion zones and time windows before approaching.

New regulations governing navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the 300-metre coastal strip off Bandol on the Var coast have been established. Vessels and tenders operating close inshore along the Bandol coastline — a popular anchorage on the western Côte d'Azur — should review the order for the full conditions applicable to their operations before approaching the beach areas.

Navigation and diving restrictions have been established in the coastal waters off Cassis for the Cap Naïo nautical event on 7 June 2026. Vessels navigating or anchoring off Cassis on that date should maintain clear of the event course area and review the order for the applicable exclusion zones and time windows before approaching.

Anchoring and navigation restrictions have been established in the coastal waters off Marseille for the Le Défi de Monte-Cristo open water swimming and nautical event on 5, 6, 7, 13, and 14 June 2026. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the Marseille bay area on these dates should maintain clear of the designated event course and review the order for the precise exclusion zones and time windows before approaching.

Navigation restrictions were established in the coastal waters off Anglet, on the Basque coast just north of Biarritz, for a public air show on 6 June 2026. Vessels that had noted this restriction should confirm with the French Maritime Prefecture whether the order has been fully lifted; if planning to operate in these waters, verify current status before approaching.

Navigation restrictions have been established in the coastal waters off Chambre d'Amour beach at Anglet for helicopter winching demonstration exercises carried out jointly by the French Navy and the National Sea Rescue Society. Vessels navigating or anchoring off this stretch of the Basque coast should review the order for the applicable exclusion zones and time windows before approaching.

A single authorisation has been granted for the SOLMINEUR-2026 scientific mission to conduct a tidal study in the Bay of Biscay. Vessels navigating in the Bay of Biscay should be aware of the presence of the research vessel and associated equipment, and give a wide berth to any vessel displaying the appropriate signals for a vessel engaged in underwater operations.

An unexploded ordnance device has been found in the Porto Salvo basin at the port of Gaeta on the southern Lazio coast, and a navigation and port access restriction has been established for the affected area. Vessels planning to berth or navigate in the Porto Salvo basin should contact the Gaeta harbour master's office before approaching to confirm the current status of the disposal operation and any remaining access restrictions.

A restriction on drone overflights above the coastal waters off Amalfi on the Campania coast has been established by the Italian Coast Guard at Salerno. Vessels operating tenders or support craft in this area, and any operations involving drone deployment from vessels at anchor or underway off Amalfi, should review the ordinance for the applicable boundaries and conditions before flying.

Navigation and bathing restrictions have been established in the coastal waters off Minori on the Amalfi Coast for a fireworks display on 11 June 2026. Vessels navigating or anchoring off Minori on that date should maintain clear of the designated safety zone and confirm timing and boundaries with the Salerno harbour master's office before approaching.

The Match Race for visually impaired sailors has been authorised in the waters of the Gulf of Salerno on 13 and 14 June 2026. Navigation restrictions apply within the race course area — vessels navigating off Salerno on those dates should maintain clear of racing traffic and confirm the course boundaries with the Salerno harbour master's office.

The Coppa Barontini – Trofeo Edda Fagni sailing regatta has been authorised in the waters off Livorno on the northern Tyrrhenian coast on 12 and 13 June 2026. Navigation restrictions apply within the race course area — vessels navigating off Livorno during the event should maintain clear of racing traffic and confirm course boundaries and timing with the Livorno harbour master's office.

Inspection and maintenance works are being carried out on the pontoons and mooring chains of the Concessione Nautica Savonese facility at Savona on the western Ligurian Riviera, with diving operations in progress. Vessels navigating or berthing in the Savona marina area should maintain the applicable safety distance from the works zone and confirm the schedule with the Savona harbour master's office.

Beach restoration and shore reinstatement works are underway at Mingardo beach in the Camerota area of the Cilento coast (Salerno province), with navigation, bathing, and diving restrictions in force around the works area. Vessels navigating or anchoring close inshore along this stretch of the southern Tyrrhenian coast should review the ordinance for the applicable exclusion zones before approaching.

The Italian Coast Guard at Palinuro has issued an extension to the existing ordinance governing infrastructure improvement works at Scario harbour on the Cilento coast. Vessels navigating or planning to berth at Scario should confirm the current extent of the works area and any access restrictions with the Palinuro harbour office before approaching.

The Italian Coast Guard at Venice has issued updated regulations governing the professional mooring service in the port of Venice and the Venetian roads. Masters and vessel managers planning to berth in the Port of Venice should ensure their mooring arrangements are made through the authorised mooring service in accordance with this updated ordinance.

Berthing at the Fusina 1 pontoon in the Fusina basin of the Port of Venice has been prohibited by the Italian Coast Guard at Venice. Vessels that normally use or plan to use the Fusina 1 berth should contact the Venice harbour master's office to confirm alternative arrangements and the current status of the prohibition before approaching.

Transport Malta has amended the boundary coordinates of the existing restricted area in the approaches to Valletta Harbour, and has established a new no-fishing restricted area in the same zone. The changes affect British Admiralty Charts 194, 2537, and 2538 — masters navigating the approaches to Valletta should review this notice and annotate their charts accordingly.

Further to Notice to Mariners 24/2021, the Armed Forces of Malta carried out live firing practice at Pembroke Ranges on 8 June 2026 with extended hours between 16:30 and 18:00 local time. The exercise area (LM-D6) extends to a radius of 4 nautical miles from the shore — vessels that had noted this restriction should confirm with Valletta VTS on VHF Channels 12 or 16 that the area has been cleared.

Navigation restrictions will be in force at Salina Bay on the northwest coast of Malta for the Eurosport Garmin Relay Triathlon on Sunday 21 June 2026 between 07:00 and 08:20. All mariners are directed to keep well clear of the designated swimming course — vessels with moorings within the area should contact the support vessel on VHF before entering or leaving and wait to be escorted.

Aerial fireworks displays will be let off from near Triq Belt il-Hazna, Marsa, at the head of the Grand Harbour on Saturday 13 June and Sunday 14 June 2026 between 18:45 and 23:30. Masters and owners of vessels berthed within the safety zone shown in the notice are required to remove their vessels — both commercial and recreational — during the fireworks periods on both dates.

Repair works are underway on the jetty at Triq is-Salini, Marsascala, on the southeast coast of Malta, with a silt curtain deployed around the works area and scuba divers in the water throughout the operation. Vessels moored or anchored within the works boundary must be removed for the duration, the jetty cannot be used, and all vessels must maintain at least 10 metres from the silt curtain — works are expected to continue until 31 December 2026.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage will carry out an underwater archaeological excavation in Marsaskala Bay on the southeast coast of Malta between 17 June and 2 July 2026, daily from 07:30 to 14:00, with scuba divers in the water throughout. All vessels transiting in the bay must maintain a safety distance of at least 10 metres from the works area and its support vessel, which will be displaying the International Code of Signals flag Alpha.

A benthic (seabed) survey is being carried out in Wied l-Għajn bay on the southeast coast of Malta between 8 and 25 June 2026, with scuba divers and a support vessel in the water throughout. A safety zone of 20 metres around the survey area must be maintained by all vessels — the support vessel will be displaying the International Code of Signals flag Alpha.

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry has published a full revision of its Guidance Note on the Yacht Engaged in Trade programme, replacing Shipping Notice 03/2017. The YET programme enables owners of Cayman-registered pleasure yachts of 24 metres and over to charter their vessel commercially in EU waters for up to 84 days per calendar year without permanently switching to commercial registration — using a temporary Certificate of British Registry for a Yacht Engaged in Trade issued for each charter period. Key updates in this revision cover eligibility requirements, the EU VAT and Temporary Admission regime interaction, the documentation to be carried on board during each charter, Port State Control implications (vessels operating under the YET programme should expect to be treated as commercial yachts under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding), and the conditions for maintaining YET status. Owners, managers, and masters of Cayman-registered yachts of 24 metres and over that charter, or plan to charter, in EU waters should review this revised guidance in full.

DNV has published guidance on the imminent expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to the maritime sector, which takes effect on 1 July 2026. Owners, managers, and operators of vessels calling at UK ports should review the scheme's requirements — including which vessels and voyages are in scope, how to monitor and report emissions, and the carbon allowance surrender obligations — before the compliance deadline.

The American Bureau of Shipping has published a report examining how artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and new energy systems are being adopted across the maritime industry. The report covers current uptake trends, the regulatory and classification implications of these technologies, and the directions in which the sector is moving — of interest to owners, managers, and technical superintendents tracking the evolving technology and compliance landscape.

The Shipowners Club has circulated an alert on the revised Maritime Code of the People's Republic of China, which has now been updated following several rounds of public consultation. The revisions introduce significant changes to cargo liability, vessel operations, and crew-related matters under Chinese law — masters, managers, and charterers with any exposure to Chinese ports or Chinese-connected trade should review the circular and seek specialist legal advice where needed.