The Maritime Safety Committee, at its 90th session (16–25 May 2012), approved the unified interpretations of COLREG 1972, as amended, relating to Annex I—Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes, prepared by the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation, as set out in the annex. Member Governments were invited to use the annexed unified interpretations as guidance when applying the relevant provisions of COLREG 1972 to vessels constructed on or after 1 January 2013 and to bring the attached unified interpretations to the attention of all parties concerned.

The amendments to Annex V, adopted in July 2011 by resolution MEPC.201(62), imposing stricter restrictions on the discharge of marine solid waste, came into effect on 1 January 2013. The regulations contain a general prohibition on discharge unless specifically allowed by the regulations. Previously, all discharges from vessels and platforms were allowed unless specifically prohibited. The four categories of allowable discharges include food waste, cargo residues, cleaning agents considered not harmful to the marine environment, and carcasses of animals that died while being carried as cargo. Garbage management plans will now be required for all vessels of 100 tons gross weight or greater (the current requirement applies to ships of 400 gross tons or greater).

In April 2012 the IMO Legal Committee agreed amendments to increase the limits of liability in the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims. The new limits are expected to enter into force 36 months from the date of notification of the adoption, under the tacit acceptance procedure, and this is expected to be on 8 June 2015.