News Content

Paris MOU ship inspections increase 9pc for first time since 2011

SHIP inspections have increased nine per cent for the first time since the introduction of the new Port State Control inspection regime in 2011, reports London's Tanker Operator.

While the number of inspections, also known at the "Paris MOU", increased there has been an eight per cent reduction in detentions, said the report.

There were four per cent more inspections year on year to 18,43. Each ship was inspected an average of 1.2 times per year, a lower rate against 2012.

Deficiencies recorded in 2012 were 49,261 in number, falling to 49,074 in 2013 and then falling again to 45,979 last year.

In 55 per cent of inspections, deficiencies were found. In 2013, this figure was 58 per cent with the average number of deficiencies per inspection also rising from 2.8 in 2013 to 2.5 in 2014.

Deficiencies found last year were safety of navigation (13.47%),fire safety (13.43%), life saving appliances (8.73%), certification and documentation (7.59%) and ship certificates (5.74%),

The top five deficiencies were International Safety Management (ISM) Code infractions (3.92%) charts (2.82%), nautical publications (2.76%) fire doors/openings in fire resistant divisions (2.59%) and seafarers daily hours of work/rest records (1.74%).

Port State Control (PSC) inspections of foreign ships in other national ports by PSC officers (inspectors) is done to verify the competence of the master and officers.

It is also done to check condition of the ship and its equipment comply with the requirements of international, largely United Nations Conventions and that the vessel is manned and operated in compliance with applicable international law.