The leading, Tokyo based classification society, ClassNK, has released its annual report on Port State Control, which makes fascinating reading. The report aims to assist ship operators, management companies and surveyors in maintaining compliant operations by providing information about ships detained by Port State Control as well as deficiencies that were found on board from many port states in 2016.
Port State Control inspections ensure that vessels departing the port meet international standards and have proved to be highly effective in eliminating substandard ships that are in operation. They oversee not only the physical structures and components of a ship, but also examine operations related to safety management systems and labor conditions such as wages and hours of rest with regards to MLC, 2006. Over 100 port states have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) over the years and established a harmonized system for Port State Control to strengthen PSC-related activities, ensuring maritime safety, decent working and living conditions, and reducing maritime pollution.
To help its customers improve safety management systems and overall fleet quality, ClassNK has included a breakdown of deficiencies which shows that fire safety-related deficiencies continue to be the most frequent detainable deficiencies item. ISM, lifesaving appliances and safety of navigation also remain major items where many detainable deficiencies are found.
The ClassNK report also provides detailed analyses on Port State Control detentions by flag state, port state, ship type, ship size, and ship’s age as well as a summary of major amendments made to international conventions such as the SOLAS Convention. These amendments have further widened the scope of Port State Control inspections, a trend that will undoubtedly continue as the rules applied to ships increase and diversify.
About ClassNK
ClassNK is an international ship classification society that is actively engaged in a growing range of ship related activities and services aimed at contributing to promoting the protection of human life and property at sea as well as protection of the marine environment. The society has been classing, auditing and surveying vessels since 1899 and is a Recognized Classification Society. Authorised by more than 110 flag administrations, ClassNK entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 with the United States Coast Guard to perform vessel inspection functions on US flagged vessels on behalf of the Coast Guard. With more than 230 million gross tons on register, they are one of the world’s largest classification societies, helping to secure the safety of about 20% of the world’s ocean-going commercial vessels.
Read the Port State Control Annual Report: ClassNK-Port-State-Control-Annual-Report-2017_06
