The port calls and number of inspections decreased substantially in the period from March to June as a consequence of COVID-19, but port state control efforts have increased since June, according to Paris MoU.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on port state control was among the key issues discussed during the Paris MoU’s 53rd Committee meeting, which took place virtually from 28 September to 2 October 2020.
The Paris MoU had already acted on the situation by issuing a Circular (PSCircular 97) on the resumption of inspection efforts. This Circular urges the Paris MoU member authorities to apply an enhanced focus, during all types of inspections, on MLC requirements, in particular on Seafarers Employment Agreements, SEAs, and on the repatriation of seafarers.
While the gradual resumption of port state control efforts are visible, the Committee felt that attention should be paid to possible effects on the harmonised system of inspections. To that end, a task force was established to analyse the impact and to determine if any actions are needed for the medium and longer term,
…Paris MoU informed.
The Committee recalled its earlier decision, as a result of COVID-19, to postpone all concentrated inspection campaigns (CICs) by one year, and the resulting rescheduling of the CIC on Stability that was planned for 2020 to 2021. The Committee also agreed to an Inspection Campaign on the Polar Code in 2022.
Furthermore, following last year’s decision, the Committee decided how to share inspection data in bulk to registered users by publishing it on the Paris MoU website. The general public will be informed in due course when this data will be available and how to access it.
The Committee also discussed the outcome of the joint CIC on Emergency Systems and Procedures, held from 1 September 2019 until 1 December 2019, characterizing the industry compliance as ‘satisfactory’. The Committee also recalled its earlier adoption of the 2019 Annual Report, including the White, Grey and Black List and the performance list of recognised organizations. These lists were taken into account for the calculation of the Ship Risk Profile from 1 July 2020.
