INTERCARGO’s Registered Ships Up by 48 Pct

The number of ships registered in the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has surged by 48 percent in the first three quarters of 2017.

As a number of new members joined the association during the period and existing members added significant number of ships, INTERCARGO passed the 1,500 ships threshold with a total tonnage of 138 milion dwt at the end of the third quarter of the year.

Additionally, the associations number of full members increased by 32 percent, passing the 100 threshold.

“We are proud that INTERCARGO-entered ships continue to outperform industry averages in respect of detentions and deficiencies per inspection,” John Platsidakis, INTERCARGO Chairman, said.

Platsidakis added he would encourage the formation of a dry cargo charterers’ assessment scheme which would enable them to promote their quality of performance.

The information was presented as part of semi-annual meetings held by INTERCARGO’s Technical and Executive Committees in Athens on October 9 and 10, 2017.

Main topics covered at the meetings included the safe carriage of cargoes, the non- availability and adequacy of reception facilities for cargo residues and cargo hold washing waters hazardous to the marine environment (HME), port state control transparency and anti-corruption practices, operational challenges after the entry into force of the ballast water management convention, air emissions, design standards for bulk carriers and related equipment.

INTERCARGO will hold its next meetings in Singapore in March 2018.