RightShip has announced a change in its vessel inspection policy, adjusting the age at which inspections are required to address ongoing safety risks in the Dry Bulk and General Cargo sectors.
Starting on March 31, 2025, the new policy will be implemented in two phases. In Phase 1, the age trigger for inspections will decrease from 14 years to 12 years, after which annual inspections will be mandated. Phase 2, scheduled for 2026, will further reduce the age requirement to vessels aged 10 years or older. Additionally, vessels with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of less than 8,000 will also need to undergo inspections, creating a more consistent safety standard across the fleet.
The decision to adjust the inspection age is supported by data indicating significant safety risks associated with ageing vessels. The Dry Bulk sector has shown higher incident and fatality ratios compared to other maritime sectors, with bulk carriers experiencing a 1.49% incident ratio and a fatality ratio of 0.42%.
Furthermore, the analysis suggests a strong correlation between vessel age and increased safety risks, particularly for vessels older than 10 years. Larger vessels over 200,000 DWT face increased incident and detention ratios as they age, underscoring the need for earlier inspections to mitigate risks effectively, RightShip notes.
The data and insights gathered from our inspections are crucial in enhancing the vetting process, providing charterers with a clearer understanding of a vessel’s condition and performance and supporting ship owners and managers in their efforts to enhance safety across their fleets. As we navigate the challenges associated with an ageing fleet, we must collectively strive for safety and transparency across the shipping industry.
… said Steen Lund, CEO of RightShip.
Find out more at https://risk4sea.com/pocra/
