Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Persons with Reduced Mobility: Accessibility on Board

Since 28 June 2025, accessibility on passenger ships is no longer just a matter of good design practice: in the European Union it is a binding legal obligation, extended to electronic ticketing and travel information as well.

PRM European Accessibility Act MSC.1/Circ.735 EU 1177/2010

## Operational Explanation

The needs of persons with reduced mobility (PRM) on board passenger ships are addressed by several complementary instruments: the IMO MSC.1/Circ.735 guidelines ("Recommendation on the design and operation of passenger ships to respond to elderly and disabled persons' needs") guide the design of accessible cabins, routes and emergency stations; EU Regulation 1177/2010 establishes assistance rights for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility in maritime transport; and, from 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882) has become binding in all EU Member States.

The European Accessibility Act extends the accessibility obligation beyond the physical dimension alone, covering maritime passenger transport services relating to real-time travel information, electronic ticketing, interactive self-service terminals and mobile applications, imposing digital accessibility requirements that sit alongside, without replacing, the physical requirements already set out by EU Regulation 1177/2010 and the IMO guidelines.

## Regulatory Reference

MSC.1/Circ.735 (IMO): design and operational recommendations for responding to the needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. EU Regulation 1177/2010: assistance rights for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility in maritime transport. European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882): binding in all EU Member States from 28° June 2025, extends the accessibility obligation to travel information, electronic ticketing and self-service terminals for maritime passenger transport services.

## Scope of Application

Passenger ships and maritime passenger transport services operating in the European Union, with reference both to physical design requirements (accessible cabins, routes, emergency stations) and, from 28 June 2025, to digital accessibility requirements for ticketing and information services.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Verify that the design of cabins, common routes and emergency stations complies with the MSC.1/Circ.735 recommendations for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
2. Ensure the provision of assistance required by EU Regulation 1177/2010 to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, from booking through embarkation/disembarkation.
3. For services operating in the EU, verify the compliance of electronic ticketing systems, real-time travel information and self-service terminals with the European Accessibility Act requirements from 28 June 2025.
4. Integrate the assistance needs of PRM passengers into the muster plan and emergency procedures, not only into ordinary assistance services.
5. Train onboard and terminal staff on practical assistance to persons with reduced mobility, both in normal conditions and in an emergency.

## Practical Example

Example: a shipping company operating routes within the European Union updates, by the 28 June 2025 deadline, its electronic ticketing system and real-time travel information to make them compliant with the European Accessibility Act's digital accessibility requirements, while separately keeping in place the physical assistance standards already required by EU Regulation 1177/2010.

## Real Cases

The binding entry into force of the European Accessibility Act on 28 June 2025 required many maritime passenger transport operators to adapt not only the onboard physical facilities, already guided by IMO guidelines, but also the digital ticketing and information systems, an area previously less specifically regulated for the maritime sector.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Treating accessibility requirements as limited to the physical dimension on board alone, ignoring the digital extension introduced by the European Accessibility Act | Non-compliance of ticketing and information systems with the requirements binding from 28 June 2025 | Extend the compliance assessment to digital ticketing, travel information and self-service terminal systems as well
PRM passenger assistance needs not integrated into the muster plan and emergency procedures | Vulnerable passengers without a specific assistance plan in the event of an emergency | Explicitly integrate PRM assistance needs into the muster plan, not only into ordinary assistance services

## PSC Observations

PSCOs may check for the presence of assistance procedures for PRM passengers, their integration into the muster plan, and the compliance of physical facilities with the applicable recommendations; digital compliance with the European Accessibility Act requirements is typically verified by transport service oversight authorities rather than within the scope of PSC inspection.

## Operational Tips

- Do not limit the accessibility assessment to the physical dimension alone: from 28 June 2025 the European Accessibility Act also covers electronic ticketing and travel information.
- Always integrate PRM assistance needs into the muster plan and emergency procedures, not only into everyday assistance services.
- Train staff both on assistance in normal conditions and on the specific emergency protocols for PRM passengers.

## Checklist

- Design of cabins, routes and emergency stations compliant with the MSC.1/Circ.735 recommendations
- Assistance to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility provided per EU Regulation 1177/2010
- Electronic ticketing and travel information systems compliant with the European Accessibility Act (from 28 June 2025, for services operating in the EU)
- PRM assistance needs integrated into the muster plan and emergency procedures
- Onboard and terminal staff trained on practical assistance to PRM passengers

## FAQ

Since when has the European Accessibility Act been binding for maritime passenger transport services in the EU?
Since 28 June 2025, in all European Union Member States.
What does the European Accessibility Act add compared with EU Regulation 1177/2010?
It extends the accessibility obligation beyond the physical dimension already covered by Regulation 1177/2010, including real-time travel information, electronic ticketing and interactive self-service terminals.
What do the IMO MSC.1/Circ.735 guidelines recommend?
Design and operational criteria for responding to the needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities on board passenger ships, including accessible cabins, routes and emergency stations.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

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