In 2025, maritime safety is more data-driven and regulated than ever. For vessel operators and shipowners, staying compliant with SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Chapter V is not just about avoiding port state control fines—it is about ensuring the safety of the crew, the cargo, and the environment.
As we move toward 2026, several new amendments are coming into focus. This checklist outlines the mandatory equipment every commercial vessel must carry in 2025 and highlights the upcoming changes you need to prepare for.
1. The Universal Requirements (All Ships)
Regardless of size, every vessel must be equipped with fundamental navigation tools. Regulation 19 of SOLAS Chapter V specifies that all ships must carry:
- Standard Magnetic Compass: Properly adjusted with an up-to-date deviation table.
- GNSS Receiver (GPS): A receiver for a global navigation satellite system to establish position at all times.
- Nautical Charts & Publications: Updated paper charts or an ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) with a suitable backup.
- AIS (Automatic Identification System): Mandatory for all ships of 300 GT and upwards on international voyages.
2. Equipment Checklist by Vessel Tonnage
The “Carriage Requirements” become more stringent as the gross tonnage (GT) of the vessel increases.
| Vessel Size | Additional Mandatory Equipment |
| > 150 GT | Spare magnetic compass, Daylight signaling lamp (Aldis), and BNWAS (Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System). |
| > 300 GT | Echo Sounding device, 9 GHz Radar (X-Band), Speed and distance measuring device (Speed Log). |
| > 500 GT | Gyro Compass, Heading repeaters, Rudder/Propeller/Thrust indicators, and ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid). |
| > 3,000 GT | Second Radar (3 GHz / S-Band) and VDR (Voyage Data Recorder). |
| > 10,000 GT | Heading or Track Control System (Autopilot). |
3. Critical Update: New Requirements for 2025-2026
While 2025 follows the existing 4-year cycle, several amendments adopted by the IMO are now entering the “implementation window.”
Electronic Inclinometers
Under Resolution MSC.532(107), a new requirement (SOLAS Reg. V/19.2.12) mandates the carriage of electronic inclinometers.
- Applicability: New container ships and bulk carriers of 3,000 GT and above.
- Purpose: To provide the VDR with critical information regarding the ship’s roll motion and operational stability.
- Deadline: While the “keel-laid” date for mandatory installation is January 1, 2026, 2025 is the year for designers and owners to finalize equipment specifications.
GMDSS Modernization
The modernization of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) continues to impact bridge configurations. Vessels must ensure their VHF, MF/HF, and Satellite providers (like Inmarsat or Iridium) meet the updated performance standards.
4. Maintenance and Type Approval: The “Wheelmark”
Simply having the equipment is not enough. To pass an annual Safety Equipment Survey, your bridge gear must be:
- Type Approved: Hardware must meet IMO performance standards (look for the “Wheelmark” symbol).
- Software Updated: ECDIS systems must be updated to the latest IHO S-52 and S-64 standards.
- Serviceable: Equipment like the VDR and AIS require Annual Performance Tests (APT) by certified technicians.
Navigating the complexities of IMO regulations requires a technical partner who understands the hardware as well as the law. At Elektro Deniz, we provide:
- Turnkey Bridge Retrofits
- Global Service Coordination
- Regulatory Consulting