Clearing Substandard Ships from Marketplace

Port State Control (PSC) inspections have proved to be a highly effective tool for eliminating substandard ships that may be in operation, ensuring maritime safety as well as reducing maritime pollution, according to ship classification society ClassNK.

In recent years, a large number of port states have signed and accepted a Memorandum of Understanding or MOU in addition to establishing a centralized database and harmonized approach towards surveys to improve the transparency of information and further strengthen PSC related activities.

The implementation of the ISM code for all ships means that PSC inspections oversee not only the physical structures and components of a ship, but now also examine operations such as the maintenance of the ship and ensuring that personnel have an adequate understanding of how to operate ship equipment.

According to ClassNK’s latest PSC Report, the recent string of revisions to international regulations taking place over the years indicate that the scope of PSC inspections will most likely continue to expand in accordance with these regulation changes, incorporating the diversification and increase in the number of rules being applied to ships.

The report aims to provide the maritime industry with information about ships detained by PSC as well as deficiencies that were found on board from all port states around the world in 2013.

The information provided in the report can be used to further increase awareness about PSC and their activities, and improve ship maintenance, surveys and safety management systems.

In light of this, ClassNK is also working to increase the transparency of information related to PSC issues and make it even more difficult for substandard ships to survive in the marketplace.

ClassNK’s annual report on Port State Control can be found here.