Whilst the days are getting shorter and the weather gets a little gloomier, the secretariat at the International Chamber of Shipping are working just as hard as ever.

Firstly, we announced that, in collaboration with the Transport and Logistics Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong (TLB) and the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA), the Hong Kong Global Maritime Trade Summit is returning for a third edition. On the 16 November, whilst Hong Kong Maritime Week celebrates its 10-year anniversary, prominent figures from the international shipping industry, government officials, and regulatory bodies will convene at the Hong Kong Global Maritime Trade Summit to discuss how maritime trade can adapt to an increasingly challenging operating environment, defined not by isolated shocks, but by overlapping and persistent crises that require coordinated, practical, and investable responses. This high-level dialogue amongst Ministers and industry leaders from across the maritime value chain will discuss the practical steps governments and industry are taking to ensure freedom of navigation and increase the resilience of supply chains. To find out more about this event, please visit the dedicated webpage.

At the end of September, we also held our latest webinar in a series on alternative fuels, discussing ‘Wind Assisted Propulsion’ as a pathway to greener shipping. Our panel was made up of Head of WindWings at BAR Technologies Lauren Eatwell, Lead Naval Architect, Wind Powered Ships at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden Frederik Gerhardt, Specialist of the Ship Technical Unit at Mitsui O.S.K, Lines (MOL), Japan Changbae Jin, Technical Director of ICS Chris Waddington, and President of Neoline, France Jean Zanuttini. As the maritime industry considers all the options available in its drive towards sustainability, wind-assisted propulsion has been gaining traction as a viable, scalable option. Our panel discussed this alternative fuel and provided their own examples of how wind power is already being implemented upon ships globally. To watch the full recording, please click here, or to read a write-up of the event, please click here.

Additionally, nearing the end of September, an ICS delegation led by ICS Shipping Policy Chair, Kenneth Lam, travelled to Washington D.C for various meetings with U.S. agencies and the Consultative Shipping Group (CSG) of governments. The delegation met with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Office of Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, to discuss the latest challenges facing shipping and maritime trade including, freedom of navigation, the safety of seafarers, the future of the IMO Net Zero Framework, USTR Section 301 fees on foreign vessels, the U.S. Maritime Action Plan, and the SHIPS for America Act. The discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between governments and the industry to reach mutually beneficial solutions. On the 22 September, we participated in a dialogue with the CSG governments to share insights on the critical challenges facing global shipping and maritime trade, including threats to freedom of navigation, the erosion of flag state jurisdiction, and the future of the IMO Net Zero Framework. Furthermore, on the 23 September we participated in a joint dialogue with the CSG and U.S. agencies including the Department of State, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transport, Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), and Maritime Administration (MARAD). The dialogue was chaired by the CSG Chairman Brian Wessel and MARAD Administrator Mr. Stephen Carmel, and was attended by FMC Chair Laura di Bella. The exchange focused on the future of shipping decarbonisation, the USTR Section 301 fees on foreign vessels, sanctions, and the shadow fleet. In each of the dialogues, ICS emphasised the vitality of a robust and predictable global regulatory framework and transparency when it comes to policy changes, to ensure the global shipping industry can continue to uphold safe, efficient, and affordable maritime trade. The meetings were constructive and informative in building a better understanding of governments’ objectives and positioning on key maritime policy issues. The ICS delegation reminded CSG governments and US stakeholders of its unique membership of national shipowners’ associations from over 40 countries and reiterated its readiness to help inform policy decisions by providing detailed insights from all segments of the global industry.

Focusing on new releases, The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum (VCSF) has published new Fire Drill Guidelines for Vehicle Carrying Vessels, providing vessel operators with a practical framework for developing and conducting realistic, scenario-based fire response drills. Complementing the VCSF’s existing Fire Response – High Level Guidelines, the new guidance is designed to strengthen preparedness for vehicle fires on Pure Car Carriers (PCCs), Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs), RoRo and Ro-Pax vessels. The guidelines cover fire drills both at sea and in port, with scenarios ranging from initial onboard response through to incidents requiring external assistance. They place particular emphasis on early deployment of fixed firefighting systems, effective ship–shore coordination, and preparing for specialist firefighting support, salvage and port of refuge planning. You can download the new resource here.

Our commercial team, in collaboration with BIMCO, released the third edition of the Biofouling, biosecurity and hull cleaning publication. The publication sets out current biofouling legislative requirements, including the IMO 2023 Biofouling Guidelines and its importance in the current development of mandatory measures for the control and management of biofouling, updates to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention), and individual national and regional biofouling legislation. It provides templates for the Biofouling Management Plan and the Biofouling Record Book from the 2023 Biofouling Guidelines. This book has a completely new Ship Biosecurity section for pests that are not transported as biofouling on the wetted surfaces of a ship but can still represent a significant biosecurity threat in certain regions. There is key information on the seasonality, local regulations and reporting requirements, as well as methods of control and management. The new edition also provides an updated selection of data sheets summarising the services offered and area of operation of hull cleaning and inspection companies worldwide. You can order your copy here.

Finally, after an event-heavy month, I’d like to highlight the work of our secretariat across the globe. Beginning with the ICS Chairman, John Denholm, who spoke on the opening panel of the Shipping UK conference, an event also participated in by our Principal Marine Director, John Stawpert. John Denholm also gave the keynote address on how international shipping can safeguard safety and environmental protection through united global rules at the North Bund International Shipping Forum 2026. ICS Deputy Secretary General, Simon Bennett, also gave a keynote address during the Finance and Insurance Forum at North Bund. ICS Secretary General, Thomas Kazakos, spoke on multiple panels during the Malta Maritime Summit, including Session 4: ‘The Human Side of the Green Transition. The Green Transition: From Compliance to Circularity.’ He attended the1st Cyprus Shipping News London Maritime Strategy & Leadership Forum ‘Shipping: Predicting an Unpredictable Future,’ where he spoke on the morning panel ‘International Rule of Law; Is it a thing of the past?’ Later on in the month, he travelled to Manila to attend Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global, participating in the Opening Plenary: The Geopolitical Anxiety Crisis – Seafarers at the Intersection of Sanctions, War, and International Law. ICS’ Director of Employment Affairs, Helio Vicente, also participated during this event contributing to the panel: ‘Protecting Seafarers in the Rise of Abandonment, Criminalisation & the Dark Fleet: From Case Tracking to Structural Response.’ Thomas and Helio both followed this by attending the WISTA International Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference 2026 in Malaysia. Thomas participated in a fireside conversation titled: ‘Asia and the World: Outlook for Maritime Growth and Development,’ whilst Helio gave a presentation during the AGM before participating in ‘Panel 2: OUR PEOPLE, Building an Inclusive and Future-Ready Maritime Workforce’ the following day. ICS’ Head of Energy Transition, Nelson Mojarro, attended the 27th Caribbean Shipping Conference where he spoke on the panel: ‘Building resilient ports and supply chains in an era of global uncertainty.’ ICS’ Senior Legal Manager Leyla Pearson spoke at the International Group Correspondence Conference (IG CC) during the session on ‘People Risks.’ She gave a presentation on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers with a focus on promoting the 2025 IMO/ILO Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes. Lastly, Tripartite took place in Tokyo, Japan, where our marine team gave various presentations and chaired the underwater radiated noise working group. More information can be found here. [LINK POST OR PRESS RELEASE].