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IACS: Ships Comply with Emergency Power Tests

[ May 19, 2026   //   ]

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) said inspections of more than 36,000 vessels in 2025 found generally strong compliance with emergency power requirements, but highlighted persistent technical and procedural weaknesses that could undermine shipboard safety.

The findings stem from a year-long Concentrated Inspection Campaign covering 36,723 ships, launched after concerns raised by the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding over the reliability of “simulated blackout” testing. While 97.7 percent of vessels showed no deficiencies, issues were identified on 853 ships, or 2.32 percent of those inspected.

IACS said recurring equipment failures were concentrated in critical components tied to automatic emergency power activation under International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The most frequent deficiencies involved quick-closing valves (22 percent), control units and circuits (16 percent), and starting arrangements for emergency diesel generators (14 percent).

Beyond hardware issues, the campaign identified systemic gaps in testing procedures. Many vessels relied on simulated blackout tests that do not replicate real failure conditions, raising concerns that crews may overestimate system readiness. IACS said some ship safety management systems lacked detailed procedures for controlled blackout testing, a requirement under SOLAS regulations.

Operational shortcomings were also noted, including crew unfamiliarity with emergency generator systems and incorrect switch selection during testing, pointing to training and competency gaps.

IACS Secretary General Robert Ashdown said the campaign provided “robust and detailed data insights” into a critical safety area, adding that the results will inform improvements in inspection regimes, testing standards and crew training.

The organization recommended closer scrutiny of blackout testing procedures during ISM audits, further analysis of high-failure components, and potential standardization of emergency generator test design.

The full report is expected to guide regulatory and industry efforts to strengthen compliance and ensure emergency power systems function as intended across the global fleet.

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