Guidance: Defence Maritime Regulations: Regulatory Notices

Why It Matters

These updates tighten compliance obligations for defence maritime operators, ensuring alignment with international safety and environmental standards and reducing regulatory risk for MOD‑related shipping activities.

Key Takeaways

• New 2026 Regulation Source Record released
• ATAMS and ISM Code guidance added February 2026
• IMO registration notice updates MOD shipping compliance
• Diving safety and wreck regulations amended 2025
• MOU aligns MOD with Maritime & Coastguard Agency

Pulse Analysis

The Defence Maritime Regulator’s latest wave of notices reflects a broader push to harmonise UK defence shipping with global safety and environmental benchmarks. By publishing a 2026 Regulation Source Record and integrating the ATAMS and ISM Code, the DMR signals that risk‑based asset management and ship safety management systems are now mandatory pillars for all MOD vessels. This move not only streamlines internal audit processes but also prepares UK defence fleets for tighter scrutiny under emerging international conventions.

Key amendments introduced in 2025, such as the Diving Safety Verification and Wreck Management updates, address niche yet high‑risk operations that have historically been under‑regulated. The inclusion of a compliance matrix and detailed guidance on IMO registration further clarifies the procedural steps required for commercial and auxiliary vessels supporting defence missions. For procurement officers and shipbuilders, these documents provide a clear checklist, reducing ambiguity around certification, class society interactions, and environmental reporting obligations.

Strategically, the Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency cements a collaborative framework that could accelerate the adoption of autonomous maritime systems and greener propulsion technologies across MOD fleets. Stakeholders should monitor the evolving regulatory landscape, integrate the new standards into contract specifications, and invest in training programs that reflect the updated safety protocols. Aligning early with these requirements will mitigate compliance costs and bolster the UK’s reputation as a leader in secure, sustainable defence maritime operations.