Ireland is moving to modernise its maritime rulebook with the publication of the General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (International Conventions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 on gov.ie. Released by the Department of Transport, the proposal marks an important step in aligning Irish law with updated international maritime standards on safety, training, wreck removal and environmental protection.
The new publication on gov.ie follows Government approval to draft the legislation and is accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Analysis. Together, the documents outline how the State plans to ratify additional international conventions, update existing maritime laws and strengthen oversight across the sector.
What the Merchant Shipping Bill 2026 aims to do
The proposed legislation is designed to bring Irish maritime law into line with a number of international and EU obligations. In practical terms, it will support stronger protections for crews, vessels, passengers and the marine environment while updating older statutes that no longer reflect current standards.
According to the Department of Transport publication on gov.ie, the Bill will:
- Enable the State to give effect to five international maritime conventions not yet ratified by Ireland
- Update legal provisions linked to two conventions already ratified
- Refresh miscellaneous maritime rules already on the statute book
- Introduce clearer passenger counting and reporting obligations for the maritime sector
Five new conventions covered in the scheme
The General Scheme provides for legislation connected to five major international agreements:
- The Work in Fishing Convention, 2007
- The STCW-F Convention on training, certification and watchkeeping for fishing vessel personnel
- The Cape Town Agreement of 2012 on fishing vessel safety
- The Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships
- The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks
These measures are expected to improve conditions in the fishing and shipping sectors, while also supporting Ireland’s wider commitments in Transport, Climate Action and environmental governance.
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Why this matters for Ireland’s maritime sector
The significance of this gov.ie publication goes beyond technical legal amendments. Maritime law affects commercial shipping, fishing fleets, harbour operations, passenger services and marine environmental management. By updating these rules, the State is seeking to improve safety at sea, ensure better training standards and strengthen accountability when vessels become hazardous wrecks or reach end-of-life recycling stages.
The reforms also intersect with the work of multiple public bodies, including the Department of the Taoiseach, Finance, Justice, Health, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Office of Public Works (OPW), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), An Bord Pleanála and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), particularly where regulation, labour standards and environmental compliance overlap.
Existing laws set for amendment
The scheme also includes changes to several existing Acts, including:
- Merchant Shipping Act 1966
- Merchant Shipping (Certification of Seamen) Act 1979
- Maritime Safety Act 2005
- Merchant Shipping Act 2010
- Harbours Acts 1996 and 2015
In addition, updates are planned in relation to SOLAS and the International Convention on Load Lines, both of which are core pillars of international maritime safety regulation.
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FAQs on the gov.ie Merchant Shipping publication
What has been published?
The Department of Transport has published the General Scheme of the Merchant Shipping (International Conventions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 and its Regulatory Impact Analysis on gov.ie.
What is the main goal of the Bill?
The main objective is to update Irish maritime law so the State can ratify additional international conventions and strengthen maritime safety and environmental protection.
Does this become law immediately?
No. A General Scheme is a pre-legislative step. It outlines the proposed structure of a Bill before the full legislation is drafted and introduced through the Oireachtas process.
Conclusion
The publication of the Merchant Shipping Bill 2026 scheme on gov.ie signals a significant policy move for Ireland’s maritime framework. With new international conventions, revised shipping laws and enhanced reporting standards in view, the proposal is set to shape how Ireland manages vessel safety, fisheries standards and marine environmental responsibilities in the years ahead.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
