In recent years, the focus on the environmental impact of ships has expanded beyond atmospheric and marine emissions to address noise pollution-related aspects. Concerning airborne noise, relative contribution generated by ship systems, particularly from ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), heating, and funnels, are widely recognized by both academia and industry as a substantial factor impacting onboard comfort for passengers and crew, and third-party entities, including humans and marine wildlife. Nowadays, despite these risks, there are no mandatory international regulations governing noise emissions from ships. However, beginning in 2019, several classification societies, such as RINA, DNV, Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas, and the Korean Register, have introduced new class notations aimed at minimizing airborne noise emissions from ships. These voluntary notations are designed to regulate and limit ship noise, particularly in port areas. This paper reviews protocols developed by key classification societies, including Lloyd's Register (2019), DNV (2019), RINA (2020), ABS (2021), and the Korean Register (2023), which have recently introduced guidelines for measuring and limiting airborne noise emissions from marine vessels. The analysis focuses on these voluntary class notations’ requirements, technical standards, and applicability to different types of ships, emphasizing the effectiveness of their measurement protocols. Key differences will be highlighted in scope, implementation challenges, design implications, and gaps within current regulatory frameworks. Addressing these issues from a regulatory perspective could enhance the protection of both human and marine environments, advancing the maritime sector toward greater sustainability.