December 2025: New Maritime Standards Address Shore Power, Gas Safety, and Sailing Craft Structure

The shipbuilding and marine structures sector has entered December 2025 with significant upgrades to its international standards. With increased regulatory focus on environmental protection, safety at sea, and structural reliability, three new standards promise to reshape operational practices across ports, shipyards, and small craft manufacturers. Covering shore power connections, ignition protection for electrical devices, and sailing craft structure, these standards affect a wide span of professionals—from engineers and designers to compliance managers and procurement teams. In this article, we dissect the critical content, audience impact, and compliance considerations of these latest releases.

Overview / Introduction

As global maritime operations evolve under the pressures of decarbonization, safety legislation, and heightened scrutiny of construction quality, internationally harmonized standards are more important than ever. Whether it’s powering ships securely at berth, preventing hazmat incidents on small craft, or ensuring the integrity of sailing appendages, robust specifications set the benchmark for performance and compliance.

This article covers three essential standards published in December 2025:

• IEC/IEEE 80005-3:2025: Utility connections in port for low-voltage shore power
• ISO 8846:2025: Electrical device protection against flammable gas ignition on small craft
• FprEN ISO 12215-9: Structural loads and scantling requirements for sailing craft appendages

Read on to understand each standard's scope, the technical requirements introduced, and how your operations might be affected.

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC/IEEE 80005-3:2025 – Low-Voltage Shore Connection (LVSC) Systems

Utility connections in port - Part 3: Low-voltage shore connection (LVSC) systems – General requirements

The IEC/IEEE 80005-3:2025 standard delivers a forward-looking framework for the design, installation, and testing of low-voltage shore connection (LVSC) systems, enabling ships to connect safely to electrical power while docked. Developed jointly by ISO, IEC, and IEEE, this standard reflects best practices for both shipboard and port infrastructure, harmonizing requirements globally and facilitating safe, efficient, and interoperable connections.

Scope and Application:

• Applies to ships requiring up to 1 MVA while at berth
• Covers three-phase shore connection systems rated from 250 A, with voltages from 400 V AC up to 1000 V AC
• Addresses both onshore and ship-side systems: connection interface, transformers, frequency converters, cabling, monitoring, protection, and interlocking
• Excludes high-voltage systems (see IEC/IEEE 80005-1) and inland navigation vessels

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Comprehensive electrical safety: personnel protection, equipotential bonding, appropriate earthing
• System compatibility: requires a detailed compatibility assessment between ship and shore supply before initial connection
• Component standards: main circuit-breakers, transformers, cable management systems, and communication protocols
• Control, monitoring, interlocks, emergency shutdowns, and compliance with international maritime and electrical installation standards
• Rigorous initial and periodic testing, with documentation and maintenance provisions

Target Audience:

• Shipowners/operators, port authorities, engineering and maintenance teams responsible for shore power
• Marine electricians, designers, and system integrators

Practical Implications:

• Enables reduction of ship emissions at port (by running engines on shore power)
• Minimizes connection uncertainties and downtime through interoperability
• Facilitates regulatory compliance with emissions and safety mandates

Notable Changes from Previous Versions:

• This publication is the first full international edition, superseding PAS 80005-3:2014 and aligning closely with evolving environmental and operational requirements.

Key highlights:

• Specifies safety and compatibility for shore-to-ship power up to 1 MVA at 400-1000 V
• Mandates compatibility assessments, system operation controls, documentation, and testing
• Supports global harmonization for ship/port electrical infrastructure

Access the full standard:View IEC/IEEE 80005-3:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 8846:2025 – Protection Against Ignition of Surrounding Flammable Gases (Small Craft)

Small craft – Electrical devices – Protection against ignition of surrounding flammable gases

ISO 8846:2025 establishes rigorous requirements for ignition protection in electrical devices used on small craft—specifically to prevent hazardous ignition in environments where propane or other flammable gases may be present.

Scope and Application:

• Applies to small craft up to 24 meters in hull length (as defined by ISO 8666)
• Covers all electrical devices on board that could operate under flammable gas atmospheres, excluding those meant for hydrogen/air mixtures, or where external sources such as lightning are relevant

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Testing protocols for both sealed and non-sealed devices, including cranking motors, alternators, distributors
• Surface temperature tests and arc/spark containment
• Design compliance ensures normal operation, including overload and stall conditions, cannot ignite flammable atmospheres
• Devices must be labeled as "ignition protected" once passed

Target Audience:

• Small craft manufacturers, marine electrical device designers
• Shipyards, repair facilities, boating safety regulators
• Owners/operators of recreational and work small craft fleets

Practical Implications:

• Significantly reduces risk of explosion or fire caused by electrical faults in engine rooms or fuel storage
• Devices conforming to ISO 8846:2025 can be confidently specified for use in engine spaces or other high-risk areas

Notable Changes from Previous Versions:

• Updates align requirements with state-of-the-art technologies
• Revised test methods and new specifics for alternators
• Improved marking/identification requirements

Key highlights:

• Enforces ignition protection for all small craft electrical devices
• Distinct test protocols for sealed and non-sealed units under real-world fault and overload conditions
• Updated marking and compliance documentation for manufacturers

Access the full standard:View ISO 8846:2025 on iTeh Standards

FprEN ISO 12215-9 – Hull Construction and Scantlings: Sailing Craft Appendages

Small craft – Hull construction and scantlings – Part 9: Sailing craft appendages (ISO/FDIS 12215-9:2025)

FprEN ISO 12215-9 is a comprehensive design document for sailing craft appendages, including keels, centerboards, daggerboards, and associated structures. Developed by CEN and ISO, this part of the trusted ISO 12215 series applies to sailing monohulls up to 24 meters.

Scope and Application:

• Defines loads, design stresses, and scantling requirements for all appendages (e.g., keel, fin, bulb, centerboard attachments)
• Offers assessment by advanced computational methods (e.g., FEA) or proven practical (two-dimensional) formulas
• Details specific load cases: knockdown, canted keels, pounding, impact, capsize recovery

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Design stresses based on material, load case, and vessel category
• Covers bolt assessment, bottom shell thickness, load transfer, and fatigue lifing (16M cycles)
• Explicit guidance on keels, mounting hardware, and structural reinforcement
• Compliance requires completing Annex A application declaration
• Includes extensive annexes: materials, calculation methodologies, recommended practices, and failure precautions

Target Audience:

• Yacht designers, naval architects, boatbuilders
• Surveyors and inspectors
• Owners and operators of sailing monohulls

Practical Implications:

• Directly addresses major casualty hazards (keel loss, hull failure)
• Harmonized assessment streamlines certification and design approval
• Promotes safe, durable construction for both recreational and commercially operated craft

Notable Changes from Previous Editions:

• New consideration of canted keels and support structures
• Revised fatigue requirements, extended service life
• Enhanced clarity and alignment with current industry practice

Key highlights:

• Mandates robust construction/reinforcement of keel and appendages
• Supports computational or simplified methods for compliance
• Focuses on long-term fatigue and structural reliability

Access the full standard:View FprEN ISO 12215-9 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

How These Standards Affect Your Business

Operational Impact:

• Ports and marine terminals must upgrade or certify LV shore power systems to ensure global compatibility and safety
• Small craft builders are now required to equip vessels with electrical devices meeting strict anti-ignition criteria
• Sailing vessel designers/builders gain a harmonized path for appendage design, risk mitigation (especially keel loss), and regulatory compliance

Compliance Considerations:

• New builds and refits must conform; timelines depend on national adoption but immediate voluntary adoption is advised
• Certification bodies, class societies, and inspectors will reference these benchmarks in future surveys and registrations
• Product marking, documentation, and test reports will be required for conformity assessment

Benefits of Adoption:

• Compliance demonstrates commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental leadership
• Reduces the risk of costly non-conformities or post-incident liabilities
• Simplifies international operations, procurement, and client acceptance

Risks of Non-Compliance:

• Possible legal penalties, insurance exclusions, or operational delays
• Increased risk of accident, injury, or environmental harm
• Potential loss of contracts or access to regulated markets

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

• Documentation: All three standards stress the importance of comprehensive documentation, both for conformity and for ongoing safety/maintenance
• Verification and Testing: Each includes provisions for initial and periodic testing or assessment, with detailed protocols
• Material and Component Standards: From cables and connectors (IEC/IEEE 80005-3) to hull fasteners (FprEN ISO 12215-9), material compliance with referenced international standards is required
• Control Systems: Both shore power and electrical device protection standards specify mechanical and electronic safety interlocks, real-time monitoring, and fault detection

Implementation Best Practices

1. Early Gap Assessment: Review your existing equipment and designs against these standards to identify areas of non-compliance
2. Supplier Engagement: Ensure suppliers understand and are prepared to certify products in accordance with the latest standards
3. Staff Training: Technical teams should be updated on new operational procedures and testing methods
4. Regular Audits: Plan for periodic review and re-testing of installations and devices as specified

Testing and Certification

• Shore connection systems require initial and repeat performance verification
• Ignition-protected electrical devices must pass type-testing; compliance must be labeled and certified
• Sailing craft appendages must be structurally verified according to design methodology used (computational or formula-based), with documentation for inspections

Conclusion / Next Steps

December 2025 brings pivotal international standards that will impact nearly every aspect of shipbuilding and marine operations—driving safer, cleaner, and more reliable vessels and ports. Whether you are building new craft, operating fleets, or upgrading port infrastructure, now is the time to:

• Review full standards texts using the iTeh Standards platform and consult engineering/technical staff
• Update procurement and design requirements to ensure new deliveries and upgrades are fully compliant
• Schedule training and communication sessions for relevant teams and vendors
• Monitor national and international regulatory developments tied to these standards

Stay ahead of compliance—and enhance the safety, sustainability, and commercial value of your maritime assets—by leveraging the in-depth resources and authoritative content available through iTeh Standards. Explore the full texts, compare requirements, and equip your business for the evolving landscape of global shipbuilding and marine structures.