Audits are conducted periodically either by company representatives (internal) or by third parties (external) with the aim to check SMS deficiencies and non-conformities. As non-conformity is considered an observed situation where objective evidence indicates the nonfulfillment of a specified requirement. Additionally, audits take place in case an organization requires an overview with a view to change its initiatives.
The North West Europe area, a high density trading route inside the North Sea ECA, is considered as one of the most challenging PSC areas within the Paris MoU region. The main ports included in this area are: Amsterdam (Netherlands), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Antwerp (Belgium) and Hamburg (Germany).
Four foreign-flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during November 2018, after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection, according to data provided by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. During November, there were six new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port, while three vessels remained under detention from previous months.
During 2017, Paris MoU conducted 17,920 PSC inspections which led to 685 detentions (detention rate 3.82%). 40,414 deficiencies were reported from which 3,680 led to a detention (9.11% of total).
Australia region is the second most common trade destination in Tokyo MoU, following China, in which AMSA is responsible for conducting inspections. The detainable items are not only recorded in detailed inspections but also in typical/ initial inspections.
Mr. Richard Dias, Regional Technical Manager for International Registries (Far East) Limited, which provides administrative and technical support to the Marshall Islands Registry, talked about port State control (PSC) from a flag State perspective, noting that there is a balance between the flag State’s role of providing service and enforcing regulations.
USCG issued its Domestic Vessel Annual Report, collating data from the USCG’s Marine Information Safety and Law Enforcement database regarding vessel population, inspections conducted, and deficiencies issued for the 2017 calendar year. Of the 18,424 inspections conducted in 2017, 21,629 deficiencies were identified on the 12,189 active vessels in the US fleet of responsibility.
A PSC inspection resulting to useful case studies and/ or lessons learned for ship operators, aims to pave the way for improvement. The global PSC system includes many different regions (9 MoUs and USCG), facilitating PSCOs to shed their focus on different levels of PSC and sub-standard items all over the world.
Five foreign-flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during October 2018, after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection, according to data provided by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Dallas Smith, Detachment Chief of the USCG’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise, addresses the top five deficiencies that have taken place on board gas carriers.
