Whilst summer can often appear to be a bit quieter on the surface, the ICS Secretariat have been working hard behind the scenes. Whether preparing for upcoming events or kicking-off meetings for future projects, this edition of ICS in Action is just as jam-packed as other months.

Firstly, our most public work has been the ‘no tolls’ campaign. As we know, since the beginning of the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, seafarers have been operating in an environment of heightened uncertainty, with some sustaining injuries and tragically losing their lives whilst carrying out their work at sea. The safety of seafarers, who make global trade possible, is non-negotiable. So too is freedom of navigation. The ability of merchant ships to navigate international waterways safely, predictably, and without unnecessary impediment is fundamental to resilient supply chains, economic stability, and energy security.

On Monday 3rd August 2026, ICS coordinated a joint open letter, which was sent to the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, and the International Maritime Organization Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez, in relation to no compulsory tolls or charges being introduced in the Strait of Hormuz. Alongside ICS, seven other shipping associations have co-signed the letter reiterating our concerns regarding the potential imposition of tolls or service fees in the Strait of Hormuz. As part of this campaign, we have also produced a briefing document for ICS members to share with their national governments, published a new webpage on tolls in international waterways with an FAQ section to help make the topic more accessible, sent a letter to the UN Security Council President in advance of a potential session at the Security Council, and met with ministers in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, to further discussions about the topic with surrounding regions.

With lots of preparation happening for the autumn, our secretariat have been attending various kick-off meetings throughout August. ICS’ Technical Director, Chris Waddington, attended the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) meeting for their Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) project. ATLAS will define the IAEA’s requirements for nuclear merchant ships and floating nuclear power stations. This is supplementary to the work already underway at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to update the IMO’s code of safety for nuclear merchant ships. To find out more about ATLAS, please visit the IAEA’s dedicated webpage.

Our commercial team also kicked off the ‘Peril at Sea and Salvage: A Guide for Masters’ joint working group with the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF). First published in 1979 and most recently updated in 2020, ‘Peril’ outlines the actions a Master should take when confronted with an emergency: from the initial assessment and immediate actions, through to towage or salvage arrangements, as may be necessary. A timely start given last month’s 30^th anniversary of the Salvage Convention (see more in the July edition of ICS in Action). Over the next year, the group will be reviewing and updating guidance, learning from recent experiences and producing clear guidance to suit today’s crews, technologies and operating practices. We wish them all the best as they embark on this important safety project.

In addition to working hard on our Publications, the commercial team have been making significant progress with the ISF Verify Initiative. Our Chief Finance and Commercial Officer, Elliott Adams, was pleased to be invited to deliver a virtual presentation on the ISF Verify initiative at the Indian Ocean MoU 29th Committee Meeting. The ISF Verify initiative is a cloud-based platform designed to support the global transition from paper to digital seafarer certificates and connect national seafarer databases. Developed by the International Chamber of Shipping and Lloyds Register One Ocean, and designed for maritime administrations, port state control, shipping companies, and seafarers themselves, the platform enables fast, secure and interoperable verification of seafarer certification. The presentation provided an opportunity to highlight how ISF Verify is helping to streamline operations and compliance across the global maritime sector, while supporting administrations and industry stakeholders in embracing digitalisation.

Although summer can be quieter for events, our marine team have been occupied with several emerging at the end of the month. ICS’ General Manager – Singapore Branch, Sunil Krishnakumar, attended the 17th Session of the co-operation forum in Singapore, where he participated in the fourth Plenary Session: Upholding Environment Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS). During this session, Sunil gave a presentation on the ‘Key Outcomes from IMO MEPC,’ covering topics including ballast water, hull biofouling, exhaust gas cleaning systems, and port reception facilities. He outlined the current work happening at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), such as the ballast water management convention, as well as the regulatory actions needed.

Additionally, ICS Senior Marine Adviser – Technical, Manoj Subramanian, attended the 24^th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS 2026) in Belfast, Northern Ireland. During the conference, Manoj participated in four separate workshop discussions and delivered a presentation, contributing to the global discussions on ballast water management and biofouling. He highlighted the importance of designating more Ballast Water Exchange (BWE) and same-risk areas to minimise unnecessary ship deviations, developing practical contingency measures and implementing the IMO Challenging Water Quality (CWQ) Guidance, and emphasised the need for pragmatic and operationally feasible ballast water solutions that support both environmental protection and safe, efficient shipping. If this topic interests you, Manoj published a blog piece of how ICS is already driving practical ballast water outcomes, which can be read here.

Moving into September, we have plenty more of events on the horizon, from various engagements at SMM Hamburg to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum panel: ‘Maritime disruptions: impacts on energy & food security,’ which ICS is hosting and our policy team have been spearheading. Make sure to look out for our next ICS in Action blog which will share more details. You can also follow our social media to get updates in real time: LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.