Maritime and Marine Protection Rules updated

The amendments:

• enable a nationally consistent approach to ship fuel changeover
• remove mandatory carbon-intensity requirements for domestic ships
• update New Zealand’s implementation of international conventions
• make technical and administrative improvements.

Ship fuel changeover is the process of switching from one fuel type to another. If it is not managed properly, it can increase the risk of propulsion failures and pollution incidents.

The amendments enable the Director to issue a Marine Protection Transport Instrument (MPTI) for ship fuel changeover. We expect to publish the fuel changeover MPTI separately in the coming months.

We have paused consideration of scrubber requirements pending further International Maritime Organization decisions expected next year.

Other work underway

Alongside these amendments, Maritime NZ continues work on SeaCert. As part of RAP 3, Maritime NZ consulted on:

• potential changes to operating limits for seafarer certificates
• recognising fishing (STCW-F) sea service towards some non-fishing (STCW) certificates

Feedback was broadly supportive. We are now considering that feedback and progressing the next phase of work. Further updates will be provided as this work develops.

What operators need to know

• Mandatory carbon-intensity requirements for domestic-voyaging ships 400 GT and above have been removed.
• Fuel changeover requirements are not being introduced at this stage. These will be set through a future MPTI if issued.
• International operators, surveyors, and recognised organisations should review the international convention updates and associated Gazette notices where relevant.
• We will publish further guidance and information as needed.

Find out more on our latest rule updates page.