New SOLAS Rule on Ships' Lifting Appliances Takes Effect
IMO's SOLAS Rule II-1/3-13 on lifting appliances and anchor-handling winches took effect on 1 January 2026, with upkeep rules covering existing ships too.
A regulation from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) setting mandatory requirements for lifting appliances and anchor-handling winches on ships has entered into force. SOLAS Rule II-1/3-13, announced by Türk Loydu in October 2025, began to apply on 1 January 2026.
The regulation sets rules on the design, manufacture, operation, testing and maintenance of lifting appliances, anchor-handling winches and associated loose gear. Its aim is to improve safety in maritime transport and reduce accidents during loading and unloading.
Who is affected, and to what extent?
The way the rule applies differs for new and existing ships:
- Design, manufacture and installation standards apply only to new installations from 1 January 2026 onward.
- Maintenance, operation, inspection and testing requirements cover all ships, including existing ones.
- Existing anchor-handling winches must undergo testing and a thorough examination by the first renewal survey after 1 January 2026.
The rule does not cover only special-purpose winches; it also covers equipment found on almost every ship, such as provision cranes and engine room cranes. Anchor-handling winches are defined as equipment used to lower and haul in anchors and mooring lines in subsea operations, found mainly on anchor-handling vessels, offshore support vessels and some tugs.
The regulation is accompanied by two IMO guidelines that clarify implementation: MSC.1/Circ.1663 for lifting appliances and MSC.1/Circ.1662 for anchor-handling winches.
Another rule taking effect on the same date
1 January 2026 was the start date for more than one change in maritime regulation. On the same date, the use and carriage on board of fire-extinguishing agents containing PFOS on newly built ships was also banned.
Changes of this kind have a direct counterpart in hull and machinery (H&M) and P&I insurance: a class society's certification of compliance with the regulation is decisive for maintaining policy terms and class status.
Source: Türk Loydu's announcement of October 2025; IMO SOLAS Rule II-1/3-13 (MSC.532(107)) and class societies' 2025-2026 class notices.