New Report: Global Measures to Address the Threat to Whales from Shipping Traffic

The immense volume of global shipping traffic is becoming an ever-greater threat to whales and dolphins. The risk of collisions is increasing, particularly in regions where heavily trafficked shipping routes overlap with the animals’ habitats.

A new report by the Marine Mammal Advisory Group (MMAG) now summarizes the findings of a special workshop held at the European Cetacean Society Conference in April 2026, which was also attended by our Vice President Fabian Ritter and Noel Covian, the captain of our partner organization OCEANO. It includes analyses by over 40 international experts.

The report’s key findings and proposed solutions:

• Most Effective Measures: Speed limits for ships, as well as the adjustment and rerouting of shipping lanes, are still considered the most effective tools.
• Data Challenges: Although high-risk areas have already been identified, data gaps and inconsistent reporting of collisions make accurate risk analyses difficult.
• Global Standards in Development: To address these issues in a coordinated manner, the IWC is currently developing guidelines for standardized risk assessments. A global framework is scheduled to be published later this year to provide shipping companies and policymakers with reliable data for safer navigation.

The experts at the workshop emphasize that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Consistent protection of marine mammals requires a flexible combination of concrete measures, technological innovations for early detection, legal frameworks, and closer cooperation between policymakers, scientists, and the maritime industry.

You can find the full report (in English) here.