The IMO Legal Committee (LEG) held its 113th session from 13-17 April 2026, progressing a wide range of legal issues of direct relevance to shipowners, operators, insurers and charterers. Key discussions focused on liability and compensation regimes, the continued rise in seafarer abandonment cases, fraudulent ship registration and emerging legal gaps linked to alternative fuels. Entry into force of the 2010 HNS Protocol now within reach Significant progress was made towards the entry into force of the 2010 HNS Protocol, which establishes an international liability and compensation regime for damage arising from the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by sea. The joint ratification by Belgium, Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Sweden on 14 April 2026 means that the Protocol has now met the first entry‑into‑force condition. Subject to remaining requirements being fulfilled, the Convention is expected to enter into force in November 2027. For information of BIMCO members involved in the carriage of HNS cargoes, discussions highlighted the practical implications of implementation, including the anticipated administrative burden linked to insurance certification. Once in force, an estimated 65,000 vessels will require HNS insurance certificates, raising concerns about capacity, timing and coordination among States issuing certificates, including for ships flagged in non‑contracting States. The Committee encouraged contracting states to adopt a coordinated approach to certification to ensure continuity of trade and avoid bottlenecks ahead of entry into force. Growing urgency around seafarer abandonment Seafarer abandonment remained a central concern at IMO LEG 113, with data showing a continued and unprecedented increase in reported cases. In 2025 alone, 310 new abandonment cases were recorded, with early 2026 figures indicating a further escalation. The discussions reinforced the importance of effective financial security arrangements under the