Starting 1 May 2026, speed trials relevant to EEDI compliance enter a new standardization phase through updated methodologies. For shipyards, designers, and operators, this matters because trial outcomes directly affect compliance documentation and the way newbuild performance is assessed.
According to the technical update received by ANCONAV, trials should be conducted under ISO 15016:2025 or, alternatively, ITTC Recommended Procedure 7.5-04-01-01.1 (2024 edition). ISO 15016:2015 will no longer be accepted as a valid reference after that date. While the revision is described as a limited procedural update, practical effects may still appear in how speed and power results are corrected and reported.
An important change is the stronger emphasis on measuring environmental conditions—especially wind and waves—which should improve consistency and comparability across tests. At the same time, revised correction methods may, in specific scenarios, produce slightly higher reported vessel-speed outcomes. For industry participants, this means trial campaigns should be prepared with tighter control of instrumentation, protocol discipline, and data traceability.
Operationally, maritime companies should update sea-trial procedures early, confirm detailed rule interpretation with classification societies, and refresh technical reporting templates before projects planned for Q2 2026 deliveries. Early adaptation lowers the risk of validation delays and documentation non-compliance.
The transition should not be seen as a box-ticking requirement only, but as an opportunity for more robust technical verification in a market where energy performance and methodological transparency increasingly shape the competitiveness of European shipbuilding.
Image: Ian Taylor / Unsplash (Unsplash License)
Versiunea în română: Noi reguli pentru testele de viteză EEDI: ce se schimbă de la 1 mai 2026