Noboru Ueda
Tokyo – Leading classification society ClassNK (Chairman and President: Noboru
Ueda) have released their annual report on Port State Control.
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. 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.
Undoubtedly 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.
This 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 this 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 hard to increase the transparency of
information related to PSC issues and make it even more difficult for substandard
ships to survive in the marketplace.
