November 2025: Key Updates in Shipbuilding and Marine Structures Standards

The marine industry is seeing a wave of innovation and regulatory advancement with the publication of four essential standards in November 2025. These updates impact navigation, communication, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility throughout the shipbuilding and marine structures sector. For ship operators, technology manufacturers, port authorities, compliance managers, and engineering teams, understanding these changes is imperative to maintain safety, seamless operations, regulatory compliance, and sustainability.

Overview / Introduction

Shipbuilding and marine structures play a pivotal role in global transportation, commerce, and sustainable development. As vessels and ports modernize, international standards are critical in ensuring operational safety, technological interoperability, environmental performance, and crew competency. This article covers the latest November 2025 standards updates, delivering practical guidance to help

• Ship owners and operators
• Marine engineers and designers
• Regulatory and compliance professionals
• Procurement and project managers
• Technical consultants navigate the evolving requirements.

You will find concise, actionable analyses of four newly published standards, covering navigation equipment, high-voltage shore connections, methanol bunkering for inland vessels, and advanced ship-shore data communication architectures.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN IEC 62065:2025 - Track Control Systems for Maritime Navigation

Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Track control systems – Operational and performance requirements, test methods and required test results

This fully revised standard specifies the minimal operational and performance requirements, as well as the test methods and mandatory test results, for track control systems found on maritime vessels. EN IEC 62065:2025 aligns closely with numerous IMO resolutions, ensuring that equipment is compatible with current international navigational safety requirements.

New in this third edition are comprehensive updates to alert management, now harmonized with IMO resolution MSC.302(87) and related IEC standards (62923-1 and 62923-2). The structure of critical operational clauses has been reworked, and testing documentation reflects new expectations for interoperability and reliability.

The standard focuses on:

• Functional accuracy for automated track following and safety fallbacks
• Alerts and ergonomic requirements to enhance situational awareness and reduce operator load
• Connection, sensor integrity, test conditions (including performance under simulated failures), and fallback strategies
• Extensive testing protocols for operational readiness and system verification

Who needs to comply:

• Marine navigation and control equipment manufacturers
• Shipbuilding yards incorporating navigation systems
• Shipowners/operators mandated by IMO conventions
• Regulatory and inspection authorities

Practical implications:

• Upgraded operational alerts and ergonomic interfaces cut down on human error
• Enhanced testing ensures systems can cope with failures in sensors or ship positioning
• Adoption is critical for continued regulatory conformity and marine insurance requirements

Key highlights:

• Alignment of alert management with IMO MSC.302(87): fewer, more informative alerts
• New, detailed requirements for system and test procedures
• Enhanced focus on human factors and sensor interface reliability

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 62065:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC/IEEE 80005-1:2025 - High Voltage Shore Connection Systems

Utility connections in port – Part 1: High voltage shore connection (HVSC) systems – General requirements

With increasing pressure on ports and vessels to reduce harmful emissions and improve environmental credentials, the demand for High Voltage Shore Connection (HVSC) systems continues to grow. This standard, a joint IEC/IEEE and CEN publication, details requirements for the design, installation, testing, and operation of HVSC systems that supply electrical power from shore to ship.

The scope includes shore and onboard distribution systems, transformers, frequency converters, interlocking systems, safety provisions, and control/monitoring architectures. The document also covers system compatibility, operational safety, specific requirements for different vessel types (including cruise, Ro-Ro, and tankers), and emergency shutdown mechanisms.

Who needs to comply:

• Shipyards and retrofitters
• HVSC equipment suppliers
• Port electrical infrastructure engineers
• Regulatory compliance and safety officers

Practical implications:

• Adoption supports emission reduction (cold ironing/shore power)
• Guarantees interoperable, safe, and efficient power exchange
• Specifies routine and periodic testing requirements
• Encourages proactive maintenance, reducing downtime

Key highlights:

• System compatibility assessment mandatory before connection
• Detailed electrical, safety, and operational specifications for both ship and shore
• Expanded testing protocols and documentation requirements

Access the full standard:View EN IEC/IEEE 80005-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 18071:2025 - Methanol Bunkering for Inland Navigation Vessels

Inland navigation vessels – Methanol bunkering

Methanol is rapidly emerging as a clean alternative fuel in the push for sustainable shipping. EN 18071:2025 provides comprehensive requirements for engineering, operational procedures, safety, and documentation for methanol bunkering on inland waterway vessels. The standard addresses various bunkering scenarios (from land, truck, or vessel), and covers everything from the design of transfer systems and emergency shut-downs to training responsibilities and risk assessments.

Key areas include:

• Requirements for vessel compliance and safety management systems
• Design and testing of transfer hoses, couplings, and emergency shut-down systems
• Risk management for bunkering operations (spills, vapors, static electricity)
• Personnel training and qualification
• Methanol bunker delivery note protocols

Who needs to comply:

• Operators of inland navigation vessels using methanol
• Bunkering facility providers (port, truck, terminal, barge)
• Regulatory bodies overseeing waterway operation safety
• Engineers designing vessel fuel systems

Practical implications:

• Ensures uniform safety standards across bunkering chain
• Reduces risk of spills, accidents, and environmental impact
• Sets baseline for personnel competence and documentation

Key highlights:

• Detailed emergency shutdown and communication requirements
• Mandatory training for all personnel
• Broad coverage for different fuel supply scenarios

Access the full standard:View EN 18071:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 18131:2025 - Ship-Shore Publish-Subscribe Data Communication

Ships and marine technology – Publish-subscribe architecture on ship-shore data communication – General requirements

Digital transformation is revolutionizing marine operations, and this novel standard sets a new baseline for secure, scalable ship-shore data communication. ISO 18131:2025 defines a publish-subscribe (pub/sub) architecture supporting real-time, many-to-many data exchange between vessels and shore-based stakeholders. It provides robust guidance on topic naming, message delivery, security, multitenancy, and functional data management—accounting for the latest trends in smart shipping, IoT, and cloud-based operational integration.

The requirements include:

• Data architecture for navigation, operations, safety, and fleet management
• Roles of broker, publisher, and subscriber; sequence diagrams and flow control
• Security layers: authentication, authorization, and data encryption
• Message formatting, topic naming standards, and data models
• Functional requirements for logging, backup, and data recovery

Who needs to comply:

• Software platform developers for marine applications
• Shipping companies and fleet managers deploying digital solutions
• Equipment suppliers integrating smart/connected devices
• Port and shore service providers

Practical implications:

• Ensures seamless interoperability across heterogeneous ship and shore systems
• Improves cyber-security and data confidentiality in operational contexts
• Facilitates system integration for fleet optimization, compliance, and environmental reporting

Key highlights:

• Standardized topic-based messaging for efficient, scalable integration
• Comprehensive security and access management requirements
• Clear mapping for smart port and fleet digitalization initiatives

Access the full standard:View ISO 18131:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The new and revised standards for shipbuilding and marine structures will have far-reaching impacts across vessel design, construction, retrofitting, daily vessel operations, port operations, and regulatory oversight. Timely compliance ensures:

• Operational continuity and crew safety, especially with updated navigational and track control requirements
• Reduced environmental impact and energy efficiency, notably with adoption of HVSC and methanol bunkering
• Digital resilience and data-driven decision-making, harnessing interoperable ship-shore data standards
• Market access and reduced insurance risk, as most flag states and international instruments require conformity with the latest international standards

Compliance strategies should include:

1. Gap analysis and audit of existing systems/processes
2. Upgrading and certifying critical systems to meet new standards
3. Training personnel on process and technical changes
4. Updating safety management systems and documentation

While implementation timelines may vary by regulatory authority, proactive adoption reduces operational risk and cost exposure.

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

• Redundancy and fail-safe operation: From track control to shore power connections, system redundancy and fallback arrangements are essential, minimizing the risk of catastrophic failures.

• Verification and Testing: All standards elevate the role of systematic validation—from laboratory and simulation tests (track control, HVSC) to real-world commissioning checks and periodic audits.

• Operator Training: Both methanol bunkering and HVSC standards stress the importance of skilled, certified personnel, with ongoing training and competence validation mandated.

• Cybersecurity and Data Integrity: The new publish-subscribe data architecture incorporates leading practices for authentication, authorization, and end-to-end encryption, bridging operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) security in a marine context.

Best Practices for Implementation

• Engage early with compliance and certification bodies to align upgrade plans.
• Partner with experienced technology vendors for system integration and digitalization.
• Adopt modular, scalable architectures in electrical and ICT infrastructure, supporting both current needs and future upgrades.
• Document procedures and testing thoroughly to ensure smooth regulatory audits.

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Document all acceptance tests (factory/site/UAT) comprehensively
• Schedule periodic system inspections and maintenance
• Utilize third-party auditors when introducing new fuels or technology platforms
• Maintain up-to-date training records and process documentation for all staff

Conclusion / Next Steps

Marine organizations, from shipowners to technology partners and port authorities, must stay at the forefront of regulatory change and technical development. The November 2025 standards offer a path to enhanced safety, improved environmental performance, reduced operational risks, and sustainable digital transformation.

Key takeaways:

• Four pivotal standards impacting navigation, port operations, fuel management, and digital integration are now in effect
• Early adoption and compliance yield operational, regulatory, and commercial benefits
• Continuous personnel training and system upgrades remain critical to industry competitiveness

Recommendations:

• Conduct a full review of your organization’s compliance status against these standards
• Engage with supply chain partners and technology providers to plan and implement required changes
• Explore the latest publications on iTeh Standards for authoritative guidance and direct access to referenced documents

Stay ahead of the curve—ensure your marine operations and supply chain are aligned with the latest international standards for safety, sustainability, and efficiency.