ICS update - Jan 2026

Maltese Minister of Transport Hon Chris Bonett and MISA's Secretary General attended the ICS summit in Hong Kong SAR

ICS CEM Hubs: MISA facilitated a meeting between the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Maltese Energy Minister Hon. Miriam Dalli in the margins of the IRENA General Assembly held in January. Discussions focused on how Malta can contribute to the ICS CEM hubs initiative after having become the second EU Member State to join it in June 2025. MISA had advocated for Malta to join and supported the announcement as an important step in positioning Malta within international efforts on maritime decarbonisation, alternative fuels and related infrastructure.

2025/6 ICS Flag State Performance Table:  The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released the 2025-2026 Flag State Performance Table, which confirms continuing positive performance by the majority of flag States responsible for the safety and environmental performance of the world’s merchant fleet. This continues an over 20-year practice of providing an objective, data-driven assessment of performance based on criteria such as Port State Control statistics and ratification of International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions. Malta has solidified its status as a premier global registry, achieving "all-green" status. It is one of a small group of flags to consistently maintain both top-tier ICS safety and environmental ratings alongside the elite USCG Qualship 21 designation, signaling a unique commitment to high standards in global and US trade. The ICS Flag State Performance Table reinforces the position MISA set out in its submission to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission's 'Investigation into Flags of convenience (FOC) and Unfavorable Conditions Created by Certain Flagging Practices': that flag State credibility and regulatory integrity must be assessed on objective, data-driven performance indicators. Read MISA contribution here.

Global Maritime Trade Summit, Hong Kong SAR  On 16/17 November 2025, in collaboration with the government of the Hong Kong SAR and HKSOA, ICS hosted the second “Global Maritime Trade Summit”. The aim was to continue facilitating a cross-sectoral dialogue between industry leaders and policymakers from governments around the world on the challenges and opportunities emerging from increasing geopolitical volatility and changing global trade dynamics. The ICS delegation was led by the ICS Chairman, Dott. Emanuele Grimaldi, and the event was attended by several Board members and national association CEOs. Maltese Minister of Transport Hon Chris Bonett was invited to join the high level discussions. MISA's Secretary General accompanied the Malta delegation at the summit and at meetings arranged with industry players.  The outcomes of the Summit can be found here

ICS publications: MISA members are invited to read about the latest ICS publications by clicking on the links:

• Deck Procedures Guide 

• Bridge Procedures Guide  

• Engine Room Procedures Guide

• Updated ICS guidance on narcotics smuggling prevention
  

ICS Webinars:

• Upcoming: ‘The Emerging Regulatory Pathway for Nuclear Merchant Ships and Floating Nuclear Power Stations’ on Thursday  26 February at 12:00-13:00 GMT. Register here.

• Recording available: ICS organised a webinar in December 2025 addressing  developments linked to decarbonisation pathways and fuel transition. The recording can be found here.  

ICS Barometer: ICS has launched the 2025/2026 annual Barometer Survey. The survey is designed for C-Suite Maritime professionals to share perspectives on topics such as existing and emerging fuels, geopolitical risk, public and private funding, and broader operational challenges, in order to guide the next year for the industry. We urge maritime leaders to share your insights and to participate in this important survey by the 27 February deadline.