Weekly maritime regulatory digest
The weekly briefing.
Week ending 6 March 2026 · Archived edition
Read the fast-scan summary · jump to a region
Med East
Ten new notices from the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service: firing exercises in the Saronikos Gulf and South Aegean, plus four lights reported unlit. Subsea operations and a hydrographic survey also active. Nav warnings
Med NW
Five new French Maritime Prefecture orders covering anchoring restrictions, diving and speed limits off the Var coast, plus new mooring zone rules at Six-Fours-les-Plages and a movement restriction on the tall ship Shtandart. Local
Italy
Eight new Italian Coast Guard ordinances across Tyrrhenian, Southern and Adriatic waters: diving operations, ghost net surveys, beach replenishment works, a fireworks event, fishing competitions, and the lifting of a historic ordnance exclusion zone. Local
Flag
Transport Malta: Bengħisa East Cardinal Buoy destroyed — update charts. Bahamas Maritime Authority: updated guidance on port state control procedures and a security advisory for the Strait of Hormuz area. Marshall Islands: enclosed space entry incident bulletin. Safety / Flag
Class / Training
Lloyd's Register and DNV both publish summaries of the International Maritime Organization Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping sub-committee session 12, including new draft training guidelines for vessels using alternative fuels. DNV also opens its annual rules hearing. Safety learning
Insurance
Shipowners Club issues a notice of cancellation for war risks cover on certain non-mutual policies. War risks
For any navigation warning or local ordinance, confirm positions, time windows, and chart updates with the issuing authority before operations.
33 notices
Eastern Mediterranean
Greece
Note: the same notices appear under two source labels in the data feed. Each entry below represents a single unique notice.
328/2026 — Subsea operations between Astipalaia and Amorgos Islands
Underwater operations are underway in the South Aegean Sea between Astipalaia and Amorgos Islands. Vessels transiting the area should review the designated exclusion zone and avoid anchoring within it.
327/2026 — Navigation light unlit at Alexandroupoli Port, Thrakiko Sea
A navigation light at Alexandroupoli Port in the Thrakiko Sea has been reported unlit. Update chart annotations and exercise extra caution when approaching or departing the port at night.
326/2026 — Firing exercises off Fleves Island, Saronikos Gulf
Naval firing exercises are taking place off Fleves Island in the Saronikos Gulf. Confirm the active time window with the issuing authority before transiting the area.
325/2026 — Firing practice area PLATEIA extended again, Saronikos Gulf
The activation of firing practice area PLATEIA in the Saronikos Gulf has been extended for a further period. Check the updated time window before passage planning through this area.
324/2026 — Underwater cable maintenance, South Aegean Sea
Cable maintenance operations are active in the South Aegean Sea. Anchoring within the survey corridor is restricted — review the notice for exact position and duration before entering the area.
322/2026 — Cancellation of Navigation Warning 279/2026
Navigation Warning 279/2026 has been formally cancelled. Update passage planning records to remove the restriction previously in force under that notice.
321/2026 — Navigation light unlit, Alinta Bay, Leros Island
A navigation light at Alinta Bay off Leros Island has been reported unlit. Note the position in chart annotations and exercise caution when navigating this area after dark.
319/2026 — Navigation light unlit, Thermaikos Gulf, North Aegean Sea
A navigation light in the Thermaikos Gulf, North Aegean Sea, is reported unlit. Mark the position in chart records and plan approaches to the area with extra caution at night.
318/2026 — Hydrographic survey underway off Chios Island, North-East Aegean Sea
A hydrographic survey vessel is operating off Chios Island in the North-East Aegean Sea. Give the survey area a wide berth and be aware of slow-moving or stationary survey craft in the vicinity.
316/2026 — Navigation light unlit, Ammoydi Point, Thira Island (Santorini)
The navigation light at Ammoydi Point on Thira Island (Santorini) in the Cyclades is reported unlit. Update chart annotations and exercise caution on night approaches to this part of the island.
North-West Mediterranean — French Riviera (Var)
France · Mediterranean
⚠ These orders are issued by the French Maritime Prefecture for the Mediterranean. Links are to the official signed documents (PDF). Verify expiry dates with the issuing authority.
Order 2026-046 — Anchoring and navigation restrictions off Sainte-Maxime (Île des Sardinaux) until 15 September 2026
Navigation and anchoring by all registered craft is regulated in the waters around the Île des Sardinaux, off the coastal commune of Sainte-Maxime in the Var, until 15 September 2026. Review the order for the exact designated boundaries before anchoring or approaching this area.
Order 2026-047 — Navigation, anchoring, diving and speed limits within 300 metres of Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer shoreline
The 300-metre coastal strip off Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer (Var) is subject to controls on navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports. Review the order for permitted activities and restricted zones before approaching this coastline.
Order 2026-048 — Movement restriction on tall ship Shtandart in French territorial waters
This order regulates the navigation of the sailing vessel Shtandart within French territorial seas and internal waters. Operators in the area should be aware of the vessel's permitted routes and any associated port access conditions.
Orders 2026-044 & 2026-045 — New mooring zone established at Lagune du Brusc, Six-Fours-les-Plages
Two complementary orders establish and regulate a new light equipment mooring zone in the Lagune du Brusc at Six-Fours-les-Plages (Var). Order 044 approves the governing agreement for the zone, while Order 045 sets out the policing rules for vessels using 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.
Livorno 14/2026 — Ghost net survey and removal operations (Project Ghost Nets)
Marine survey and inspection operations are under way off Livorno as part of the Ghost Nets abandoned fishing gear removal project. Navigation, diving, and bathing restrictions apply within the operational area — check boundaries before anchoring or diving in this part of the Tyrrhenian coast.
Piombino 15/2026 — Floating structure towing operation
A towing operation involving a floating structure is taking place in the waters off Piombino. Vessels in the area should maintain a safe separation and be aware of restricted maneuvering space around the tow.
Porto Santo Stefano 08/2026 — Beach replenishment works off Castiglione della Pescaia
Sand replenishment and coastal rebalancing works are under way at the beach at Castiglione della Pescaia. Navigation restrictions apply in the near-shore working area — verify boundaries before approaching or anchoring close inshore.
La Maddalena 016/2026 — Partial pontoon removal works, Cannigione (North Sardinia)
Works are under way to partially remove a pontoon at Cannigione in the La Maddalena area of North Sardinia. Local access and maneuvering space near the pontoon will be affected during operations.
La Maddalena 017/2026 — Fishing competition, Cannigione–Baia Sardinia, Arzachena
An official fishing competition (Smeralda Deep Sea) is taking place at Cannigione and Baia Sardinia in the Arzachena area. Temporary navigation and access restrictions apply in the competition zone — maintain safe clearance from participating vessels.
Napoli 26/2026 — Additional vessels authorised for Bagnoli construction works
This order supplements Ordinance 01/2026, authorising additional vessels to operate within the Bagnoli works area off Naples. The navigation management zone established by the original order remains in force.
Southern Italy / Sicily / Ionian
Italy · South
Crotone 29/2026 — Diving operations authorised, Porto Vecchio di Cirò Marina
Technical diving operations by professional underwater operators have been authorised within Porto Vecchio di Cirò Marina on the Ionian coast. Other vessels should be aware of diver activity and take appropriate precautions when manoeuvring in the port.
Mazara del Vallo 11/2026 — Geophysical survey, Project Medusa (Sicily Channel)
A geophysical survey operation under Project Medusa is under way in the waters off Mazara del Vallo in the Sicily Channel. Vessels in the area should maintain clear of the survey vessel and respect the designated working corridor.
Pozzallo 17/2026 — Fireworks display, Donnalucata (8 March 2026)
A fireworks display is authorised at the western pier of the small harbour of Donnalucata on 8 March 2026. Navigation and access restrictions apply in the immediate area around the pier during and immediately after the event.
Adriatic Sea
Italy · Adriatic
Molfetta 12/2026 — Historic ordnance water area restriction lifted at Molfetta port
The long-standing water area exclusion zone at Molfetta port, previously in force due to the presence of historic unexploded ordnance, has been formally revoked. Vessels may now access the previously restricted area, subject to normal port regulations.
Flag State
Malta
Bengħisa East Cardinal Buoy — destroyed, remove from charts
The Bengħisa East Cardinal Buoy has been destroyed and is no longer in position. Update charts and pilotage notes for Maltese waters immediately — do not rely on this mark for navigation.
Marine Safety Notice 205 — Escalating security situation, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
Transport Malta has issued a safety notice drawing operators' attention to the escalating security situation in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman. Vessels with itineraries in or through these waters should review the notice and update their passage risk assessments accordingly.
Flag State
Bahamas
Technical Advisory 004 — International Maritime Organization Port State Control procedures updated for 2025
The Bahamas Maritime Authority has issued guidance on the updated International Maritime Organization procedures for port state control inspections, reflecting the 2025 revision. Operators should review the document to understand the latest inspection criteria and deficiency categories applied by port state control officers worldwide.
Technical Advisory 003 — Military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea
The Bahamas Maritime Authority has issued an advisory on ongoing military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. Vessels transiting or operating in these waters should review the advisory and assess the implications for their passage planning and insurance cover.
Flag State
Marshall Islands
Yacht Safety Advisory 2026-01 — Enclosed Space Entry Incidents
The Marshall Islands Registry has issued an 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.
Classification Society
Lloyd’s Register
Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping Sub-Committee session 12 — summary report
Lloyd's Register has published its summary of the International Maritime Organization's Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping Sub-Committee session 12, held in late February 2026. The session progressed draft interim training guidelines for seafarers on vessels using methanol, ethanol and ammonia as fuel, and continued the comprehensive review of the international training and certification convention. Useful for designated persons ashore and crew training planners.
Classification Society
DNV
Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping Sub-Committee session 12 — DNV summary
DNV has also published a report on the International Maritime Organization Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping Sub-Committee session 12. The session agreed draft interim training guidelines for seafarers on ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol and ammonia as fuel, and advanced the review of the international seafarer training and certification convention. Relevant for operators considering alternative fuel vessels.
DNV class rules 2026 — industry hearing open until 12 April
DNV has opened its annual industry hearing for the 2026 revision of its class rules and standards, covering 77 documents and running from 1 March to 12 April 2026, with publication of the final rules planned for 1 July 2026. Operators and designers with DNV-classed vessels are encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit feedback during the consultation window.
Marine Insurance
Shipowners Club
Notice of cancellation — war risks cover for certain non-mutual covers
The Shipowners Club has issued a notice of cancellation in respect of war risks cover for certain non-mutual policy covers. Operators holding affected cover should review the notice immediately and confirm their current war risks position with their broker to avoid gaps in cover.
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