A quick guide to LOLER
A clear, simple guide to LOLER requirements and regulations. Learn how LOLER inspections work, how to stay compliant, and how Onix helps you manage lifting equipment safely.
From 1 January 2026, new requirements under SOLAS (the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) will apply to all new, existing and modified lifting appliances onboard ships. This is described in Chapter II-1, Regulation 3-13 for lifting appliances.
These changes aim to reduce accidents during lifting operations by improving design, certification, maintenance and documentation standards. The new regulation targets lifting operations specifically as one of the most common causes of damage and injuries in the maritime sector.
This guide gives an overview of what the new SOLAS requirements mean for your operations, how to prepare and how digital tools like Onix Work can make compliance simple.
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea)
An international maritime treaty, adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), that sets minimum safety standards for ships.
Lifting appliance
Any mechanical equipment used for lifting or lowering loads on a ship such as cranes, derricks and winches.
Loose gear
Equipment used with lifting appliances such as shackles, slings, hooks or spreader beams.
Competent person
A person with sufficient training and experience to inspect, test and certify lifting equipment.
Ship classification society
A non-government organization, such as DNV or Lloyd’s Register, authorized to verify compliance with technical standards such as SOLAS and issue certificates.
The new SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 3-13 applies to:
If your vessel carries, installs or services lifting equipment, the regulation applies to you, regardless of flag or vessel type.
The new SOLAS regulation covers lifting appliances and loose gear installed onboard ships, including:
The regulation applies to both new and existing equipment, with different obligations depending on when it was installed or last modified.
Certain types of equipment and operations are excluded from the new SOLAS requirements. These include:
These exemptions are designed to prevent overlap with other existing SOLAS chapters and IMO codes while keeping focus on lifting operations that pose the highest risk to personnel safety and ship integrity.
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The new SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 is closely linked to the ILO Convention No. 152 on occupational safety in dock work.
While ILO 152 focuses on shore-based lifting operations such as cranes and loose gear used in ports, the new SOLAS regulation extends similar safety and inspection requirements to lifting appliances installed on ships.
Both frameworks share the same goal — to reduce accidents and improve control over lifting equipment through standardized design, testing, and certification practices.
ILO 152 introduced key principles like regular examinations, load markings, and certified inspections, which are now part of the SOLAS regulation. This creates a continuous safety chain between shore and ship, ensuring that lifting appliances are managed consistently across the logistics process.
For AEO-certified operators, this alignment supports stronger traceability, documentation flow, and compliance assurance — essential for demonstrating safe and controlled handling of cargo operations.
Lifting is an essential process in the maritime sector.
The 2026 SOLAS regulation introduces a consistent global framework for design, inspection, testing and maintenance of lifting appliances and loose gear on ships.
Together, these changes aim to improve safety, reduce lifting-related incidents and ensure better control of inspection data across the maritime industry.
If my lifting equipment is exempt from SOLAS, does that mean I don’t need documentation?
No. Even if your equipment falls under an exemption, documentation and traceability remain best practice, especially for Authorized Economic Operators (AEO).
Digital documentation supports internal control systems, helps demonstrate compliance to customs and port authorities and simplifies audits.
Enforcement responsibilities are shared between several authorities:
In practice, this means that every ship must be ready to present valid certificates and inspection records during audits or port visits wherever it is docked.
Why is enforcement important for AEO-certified operators?
Because customs and safety authorities increasingly share inspection data. Being able to demonstrate continuous compliance with SOLAS helps strengthen your AEO profile and prove reliability, safety and control over cargo operations.
The new SOLAS requirements demand that:
Frequency will vary based on equipment type, but most appliances must be examined annually and load-tested every five years.
Can digital inspection reports replace paper certificates?
Yes, provided the digital records meet integrity and authenticity requirements.
Systems like Onix Work include audit trails, digital signatures and secure storage that ensure certificates remain valid and verifiable during inspections.
All lifting equipment must be inspected, tested and certified according to SOLAS regulations.
The shipowner must maintain:
All documentation must be available onboard and accessible to authorities. The regulation encourages the use of digital documentation to improve accessibility and prevent loss or tampering.
Failing to comply with the new SOLAS lifting appliance requirements can have serious legal, operational and financial consequences:
1. Detention or delay of vessels
Port State Control (PSC) or flag authorities can detain ships that fail to provide valid inspection records or certificates. This can lead to delays, lost revenue and contractual penalties.
Classification societies may withdraw class or statutory certificates and prevent a ship from sailing if critical safety equipment is found to be non-compliant.
If an accident occurs due to non-compliant lifting equipment, the shipowner, operator or manufacturer can face legal action, insurance claims or even criminal prosecution.
Insurance coverage may be invalidated if non-compliance contributed to the incident.
Most importantly, non-compliance endangers lives. Lifting operations are among the most hazardous activities at sea and a single incident can damage a company’s safety record, reputation and trust with customers and regulators.
In short: compliance is not only a legal obligation, but a necessity for safe and efficient maritime operations.
Digital tools for equipment management can help ship owners and operators ensure compliance.
The new SOLAS regulation enters into force on the 1st of January 2026, with phase-in periods for existing equipment.
To prepare, companies should:
Starting early prevents paperwork chaos and ensures a smooth transition to the new regime.
With Onix Work, shipowners, lifting appliance suppliers and inspectors can manage all equipment documentation digitally and securely in one place to ensure compliance with the new SOLAS regulation.
This digital platform for equipment compliance management helps:
When the new SOLAS regulation comes into force, having a digital equipment compliance management system (ECMS) in place will give you a clear advantage. With simple tools on desktop or handheld devices, you can save time, reduce risks and prove compliance instantly to any relevant authority.
Industry leaders are already adopting tools to stay ahead of the changes. G2 Ocean, the world's largest open hatch shipping operator has implemented Onix Work as a standardized system for equipment compliance globally:
Read the full story about how G2 Ocean set the standard for maritime equipment compliance here.
Speak to an Onix expert today to hear how we can help you with SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 3-13 compliance.
