Australia PSC: An overview of 2020 key findings

Australia kept the figures of PSC inspections during the pandemic Outbreak to the same level (2019: 4,889 inspections, 2020: 4,522 inspections). The same applies to the maritime security Inspections (2019: 3,222 inspections, 2020: 3,052 inspections).

Table 1: Key figures and PSC KPIs for 2020 in Australia

The Global average during 2020 for DER is 2.13% and for DPI is 1.41; considering these, the figures for Australia show an increased number in detentions but not necessarily due to many deficiencies. This means that even with very few deficiencies, a ship may be detained during an AMSA inspection.

Table 2 shows the most common deficiency areas marked during 2020. The rest of deficiency categories had significant lower share during 2020.

Table 2: Most common deficiency areas in Australia during 2020

In respect of detentions, the distribution of detentions per ship type was:

• Bulk Carriers: 122
• General Cargo: 16
• Tankers: 12
• Container: 17
• Other: 11

Table 3: The top 10 detainable deficiencies in Australia, during 2020

ISM code has the top position for detainable deficiencies because in almost all detentions, ISM additional audit is required. The distribution of detentions per age (Graph 1) shows that ships aged more than 6 years old have an increased number of detentions.

Graph 1: Distribution of detentions per age, Australia (2020)

Overall, ships calling at Australians port should be thoroughly prepared and have their critical equipment – Emergency Generator/Fire Dampers/Emergency Fire pump/Lifeboats etc – in good operational condition in order to avoid deficiencies and detentions.