During June 2021, there were two new detentions of foreign-flagged vessels in a UK port, while a total of four foreign-flagged ships remained under detention in UK ports after failing PSC inspection, the UK MCA announced.
Both of the new ships detained in June 2021 were released later within the month, but none of the ships that remained under detention from previous months was released within June, leaving a total of four foreign ships detained in UK ports at the end of the month.
The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris MOU and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic database known as THETIS. This allows the ships with a high-risk rating and poor detention records to be targeted for future inspection.
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Inspections of foreign-flagged ships in UK ports are undertaken by surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. When a ship is found to be not in compliance with applicable convention requirements, a deficiency may be raised. If any of their deficiencies are so serious, they have to be rectified before departure, then the ship will be detained. All deficiencies should be rectified before departure.
Detentions in June 2021
- SHIMANAMI STAR: The Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier was detained on 23rd June 2021 at Southampton, found with 33 deficiencies with six ground for detention. This vessel was released on 26th June 2021.
- NOORTRUCK: The Germany-flagged heavy load carrier was detained on 16th June 2021 at Southampton, found with 16 deficiencies with four grounds for detention. This vessel was released on 19th June 2021.
Detentions carried on from previous months
- SIRIUS 2: The Nigeria-flagged vessel was detained on 12 November at Southampton, after being found with 20 deficiencies with five grounds for detention. This vessel was still detained on 30th June 2021.
- POSEIDON: The Iceland-flagged ‘Poseidon’ was detained on 19th July 2018 at Hull, with 10 deficiencies with two grounds for detention. This vessel was still detained on 30th June 2021.
- TECOIL POLARIS: The Russian-flagged ‘Tecoil Polaris’ was detained on 6th June 2018 at Immingham, after found with 27 deficiencies with eight grounds for detention. This vessel was still detained on 30th June 2021.
- CIEN PORCIENTO: The unregistered ‘Cien Porciento’ was detained on 4 March 2010 with 30 deficiencies, including seven grounds for detention. This vessel was still detained on 30th June 2021.
A few ship owners/flag state/classification societies do not take adequate responsibility for their ships in order to comply with the minimum requirements as internationally agreed under certain Conventions. Therefore it requires enforcement by the port in the state a ship is visiting. Detention is the last resort and often the shipowner will whinge etc.