RightShip issues revised age trigger inspection criteria

The initial announcement of the inspection age trigger in October 2024 garnered valuable feedback from stakeholders. Constructive dialogue with RightShip’s customers and respected industry associations – including INTERCARGO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the Union of Greek Shipowners has been instrumental in refining the approach to align with operational realities while reinforcing our shared commitment to safety.

Key highlights of the revised rollout plan

In response to industry concerns – including the need for more time to negotiate budgets with vessel owners, adjust office staffing to manage inspections, significant efforts for vessel preparation and crew training, challenges of aligning inspections for 10-year-old vessels with the Second Special Survey Dry Dock, and capacity to handle inspection volumes – RightShip has introduced the following updates:

• Extended timeline with four phases: The rollout has been expanded to a four-phase implementation, giving vessel owners and operators more time to adjust budgets, train crew, and plan for inspections. All vessels now have at least 12 months’ notice from the initial announcement before Safety Score impacts take effect. This phased approach also allows RightShip to accredit additional inspectors.
• Alignment with dry dock: For Phase 4, inspections for vessels aged 10 years will now align with the Second Special Survey Dry Dock, with a three-month buffer post-completion before inspection requirements take effect.

To ensure a smooth transition, RightShip has also introduced:

• Flexibility in scheduling: A three-month window between inspection requirements in vets and Safety Score applicability aims to stagger inspection volumes and reduce operational pressures. 
• Increased inspector capacity: RightShip aims to achieve a 90% increase in accredited inspectors by October 2025 to meet demand while maintaining inspection quality.
• Early inspection incentive: Vessels built after 1 October 2011 that complete inspections between January and June 2025 are eligible for a $1,000 inspection fee credit, encouraging early participation and reducing peak inspection volumes.

Industry stakeholders have through this dialogue concluded a shared understanding that co-operation is essential for safety. While the decision to lower the inspection age from 14 to 10 years remains unchanged, we have carefully considered stakeholder feedback and adjusted the rollout timeline. 

… said Steen Lund, CEO of RightShip, highlighting that the revised approach is designed to strike an optimal balance: advancing the industry toward safer operations while giving vessel owners, operators, and crew the necessary time to adapt effectively.

RightShip will require vessels of less than 8,000 DWT to undergo similar inspection making the safety standard more consistent across the global Dry Bulk and General Cargo fleet.

Implementation window

The following timeline outlines the implementation window for vessels entering the new age requirements. The start date of the window signals the point at which a vessel will require a valid RightShip Inspection to pass a RightShip vetting nomination. The end date of the window signals the point at which the vessel will require a valid RightShip Inspection to maintain a Safety Score greater than or equal to 3/5.

Key dates:

Why is the timeline between Phase 2 and Phase 3 so short?

The shorter interval between Phase 2 and Phase 3, as compared to the gap between Phase 1 and Phase 2, has been purposefully structured to ensure that each phase of the new inspection age trigger implementation occurs in separate quarters of the year. This staggered scheduling is intended to prevent overlap between the renewal inspections of one phase and the initiation of another, thereby avoiding increased workload for vessel operators.

By allocating inspection phases across different quarters, RightShip can effectively manage inspection volumes while minimizing operational pressures on both vessel operators and the inspector network. This phased approach also facilitates more efficient handling of service requests and a smoother transition for all stakeholders.

Additionally, RightShip’s data forecasts a significantly reduced number of vessels—nearly half as many—requiring inspections in Phase 3 compared to Phase 1. This anticipated reduction supports the decision for a shorter interval, ensuring a balanced and manageable inspection schedule throughout the rollout process.

In summary, the phased implementation approach, with staggered timelines across quarters, is designed to mitigate operational challenges while maintaining the capacity to deliver timely and efficient inspection services.

How does the new implementation window across all phases impact vessel owners and managers (O&Ms)?

The extended four-phase rollout timeline provides vessel owners and managers (O&Ms) with a prolonged adjustment period to align with the updated inspection requirements. All vessels will have a minimum of 12 months’ notice from the initial announcement before their Safety Score is impacted, enabling O&Ms to allocate budgets, schedule crew training, and prepare vessels for inspections without compromising operational efficiency.

To further support the transition, RightShip has introduced a three-month implementation window for each phase. This window facilitates staggered inspection scheduling, easing operational pressures while ensuring a seamless industry-wide adjustment. Importantly, during this period, a vessel’s Safety Score remains unaffected.

Updated Vetting Rules will come into effect at the start of the implementation window. From this point, vessels will require a valid RightShip Inspection to pass a vetting nomination. The end of the window marks the point at which a valid inspection becomes necessary to maintain a Safety Score of 3/5 or higher.

Vessels not immediately subject to a vetting nomination, such as those on long-term charters, can plan inspections during the three-month window. Conversely, vessels requiring vetting or anticipating diverse operational scenarios are advised to schedule inspections before the window begins.

How will the Safety Score be impacted by these changes?

Vessels that do not have a valid RightShip Inspection by the specified dates will see their Safety Scores downgraded to 2 out of 5 in accordance with the safety score hybrid rule (SS2-5). This rule ensures that vessels meeting the inspection requirements are recognised for their compliance and safety standards, while those failing to do so will face a decrease in their Safety Scores.