Monthly Roundup: Shipbuilding Standards from September 2025

Looking back at September 2025, shipbuilding and marine structure professionals encountered several important developments on the standardization front. Two notable ISO standards were published, addressing critical areas of safety and efficiency: one for ship hull securing equipment used in pilot transfers (ISO 16681:2025), and one for performance testing of LNG boil-off gas (BOG) re-liquefaction systems (ISO 16259:2025). These documents respond directly to technical, operational, and regulatory challenges, shaping the compliance requirements and best practices that will define the industry's direction in the coming years.

This comprehensive monthly overview is designed to help industry professionals, engineers, compliance managers, and procurement specialists catch up on September 2025’s key standardization activities in the Shipbuilding sector, understand their context, and identify what may require immediate organizational attention.

Monthly Overview: September 2025

September 2025 marked a significant advancement for the shipbuilding and marine technology sector with the publication of two major ISO standards. Despite a relatively modest number of new releases, the standards introduced demonstrate a focused evolution in two strategic areas: operational safety for pilot transfer operations and the rising importance of LNG infrastructure for more sustainable marine transport.

Both standards reflect heightened regulatory expectations driven by international conventions, such as those spearheaded by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the trend towards decarbonization, operational risk reduction, and improved efficiency. The dual focus this month—one on physical safety equipment, one on the mechanics and assessment of greener fuel systems—suggests a balanced industry approach to both legacy risk controls and emerging technology adaptation.

Compared to more routine months, September’s focus on highly specialized technical requirements points to a maturing regulatory landscape, with standards filling gaps that had previously been left to individual flag states, equipment suppliers, or owner/operator agreements. Organizations seeking to align with best practices and regulatory expectations should take particular note of these documents.

Standards Published This Month

ISO 16681:2025 – Pilot Transfer Arrangements: Ship Hull Securing Equipment

Ships and marine technology – Pilot transfer arrangements – Ship hull securing equipment

ISO 16681:2025 lays out comprehensive requirements concerning the equipment used to secure pilot ladders, accommodation ladders, and man-ropes to the hull of a ship, particularly when a combination ladder arrangement is used for pilot transfers. The standard specifies performance, maintenance, inspection requirements, and usage recommendations for various securing mechanisms, such as eye pads/rings, magnetic systems, and pneumatic devices.

The standard was developed to address the absence of detailed technical parameters and testing criteria in the existing IMO conventions. Though IMO’s SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 23 and IMO Resolution MSC.576(110) outline minimum safety requirements, they do not specify the design, performance, or maintenance details for hull securing equipment. ISO 16681:2025 bridges this gap, providing granularity on the testing (including holding force tests), maintenance protocols, inspection records, and storage conditions necessary to keep these critical components fit for use.

Who needs to comply? The requirements are pertinent to shipowners, operators, manufacturers, and shipyards responsible for fitting, maintaining, and inspecting pilot transfer arrangements on all types of seagoing vessels where pilot boarding is a requirement.

Broader regulatory fit: This standard supports international safety conventions and the work of port state control by creating uniform performance criteria for hull securing devices. Its adoption can reduce ambiguities in newbuilding and retrofitting processes, inspection regimes, and reporting.

Key highlights:

Specifies performance and holding force tests for hull securing equipment, ensuring reliable operation under real-world loading conditions
Details maintenance schedules, inspection procedures, and recordkeeping requirements for compliance demonstration
Clarifies storage and operational recommendations to minimize degradation and operational risk
Fosters industry harmonization by building upon—but also supplementing—the IMO’s safety framework

Access the full standard:View ISO 16681:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 16259:2025 – Performance Test Procedures of LNG BOG Re-liquefaction System

Ships and marine technology – Performance test procedures of LNG BOG re-liquefaction system on board a ship

ISO 16259:2025 addresses a rapidly evolving segment of the shipbuilding industry: the integration and performance assurance of LNG boil-off gas (BOG) re-liquefaction systems. As LNG becomes increasingly prominent as a marine fuel in response to global decarbonization efforts and stricter emissions regulations, the reliability and efficiency of BOG management onboard have become mission-critical concerns.

This standard specifies the procedures for verifying the mechanical features of the LNG BOG re-liquefaction system on LNG-fueled ships, including carriers, bunkering vessels, and LNG-fueled ships. Its thorough framework covers everything from the selection and use of test fluids (preferably LNG, but substitutes allowed under certain conditions), the design approval process, component safety tests, hydrostatic pressure testing, cryogenic performance evaluation, alarm function verification, and comprehensive documentation.

Who should use this standard? The requirements target LNG system designers, shipyards and shipbuilders, owners of LNG-fueled or carrying vessels, classification societies, and technical inspectors engaged in system verification and commissioning.

Broader regulatory context: ISO 16259:2025 supports the IMO IGF and IGC Codes and complements the safety and environmental performance assurance requirements increasingly mandated by flag and port authorities. It is structured to serve as a reference for both factory acceptance tests and onboard commissioning.

Key highlights:

Uniform procedures for verifying mechanical and functional characteristics of BOG re-liquefaction systems
Covers hydrostatic, cryogenic, emergency shutdown, and performance testing under simulated operational conditions
Supports transparent reporting and compliance documentation via example annexes for reports and procedures
Facilitates industry-wide acceptance and specification clarity among equipment suppliers, shipyards, and owners

Access the full standard:View ISO 16259:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Across both standards, several key themes and trends emerge for the Shipbuilding sector:

Enhanced Operational Safety: Both ISO 16681:2025 and ISO 16259:2025 reinforce the industry’s persistent commitment to risk minimization—focusing, respectively, on human safety during pilot transfers and operational reliability of complex LNG systems.
Technical Specificity: These documents provide detailed design, performance, and maintenance benchmarks where older international instruments were less prescriptive, reflecting an industry shift toward quantifiable requirements and best practices.
Support for Regulatory Compliance: The standards build on and supplement IMO conventions and codes, providing the necessary operational and testing granularity that supports classification societies and port state control regimes in global enforcement.
Sustainability and Decarbonization: ISO 16259:2025 underscores how LNG infrastructure—especially performance and reliability assurance for BOG re-liquefaction—remains a linchpin for meeting energy transition goals in shipping.
Standardization of Testing and Documentation: Both standards emphasize consistent inspection, maintenance, and documentation practices, promoting transparency and easier regulatory verification across international markets.

For stakeholders across the supply chain, the implication is clear: the bar for documented, evidence-based compliance is rising, and the expectations for both legacy and new shipbuilding technologies are becoming increasingly codified.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations affected by these standards should consider the following steps and recommendations for timely and effective compliance:

Gap Analysis: Assess current practices against the detailed requirements set out in ISO 16681:2025 and ISO 16259:2025. Identify mismatches in equipment design, testing, maintenance, or recordkeeping protocols.
Training and Awareness: Technical crews, maintenance teams, and quality managers involved in pilot transfer arrangement or LNG BOG system operations will require focused training on the new specifications, especially around inspection, test reporting, and periodic maintenance.
Documentation Management: Implement or adapt existing document control systems to accommodate the detailed inspection records, maintenance logs, and test reports now required for both hull securing equipment and LNG BOG systems.
Supplier and Shipyard Coordination: For new builds or retrofits, ensure shipyards and suppliers are contractually obligated to meet these standards during design, procurement, and system commissioning.
Timeline and Phasing: Although the standards were published in September 2025, implementation timelines may depend on flag state or class society adoption. Early alignment will minimize risks during inspections and audits.
Leverage External Resources: Consider engaging with third-party compliance consultants, classification societies, and technical training providers to expedite knowledge transfer and ensure robust alignment with requirements.

Resources:
ISO 16681:2025 – Technical details and purchase
ISO 16259:2025 – Technical details and purchase

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from September 2025

September 2025’s standardization activity in the Shipbuilding sector delivered two high-impact ISO standards that recalibrate both safety-critical operations and technical assurance for LNG-fueled marine infrastructure. ISO 16681:2025 enhances the rigor of pilot ladder securing equipment, directly addressing a well-documented operational risk. ISO 16259:2025, meanwhile, solidifies the way shipyards and operators test and document the performance of LNG BOG re-liquefaction systems, which are integral to decarbonization and emission-reduction strategies in shipping.

For marine professionals, remaining current with such standards is not just a matter of compliance; it is essential to maintaining operational safety, avoiding costly retrofits, and opening access to increasingly regulated markets. Now is the time to review organizational policies, update procurement specifications, and ensure workforce readiness to adopt these requirements.

Explore the comprehensive technical criteria and guidance provided in these standards using the iTeh Standards platform, ensuring your operations align with the most current global benchmarks for safety, efficiency, and regulatory assurance.