Different PSC regimes have announced their concentrated inspection campaigns (CICs) for auxiliary machines starting 1 June and for MARPOL VI from 1 September. The US Coast Guard carries out a CIC from May 2018 to 2019 on open lifeboats of US-flagged ships. This PSC news summarizes DNV GL’s considerations on how to prepare for the upcoming inspections.

The international Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) came into force on 8 September 2017. In Paris MoU alone, the Port State Control (PSC) issued more than 70 deficiencies regarding BWM in the last four months of 2017; worldwide more than 160 deficiencies were identified up to March 2018. This PSC news provides you with an overview of the main categories of deficiencies raised during the first seven months of BWMC entering into force and provides a checklist for preparation of PSC inspections regarding BWM systems, their operation and maintenance.

Canada and other areas close to the Arctic are currently experiencing extremely low temperatures, and owners calling at ports in these areas are obliged to prepare accordingly. This includes paying particular attention to safety and navigation-related equipment which may be damaged or impeded from working properly under such conditions. This PSC news summarizes the most important measures to be assessed for cold climate navigation.

Riyadh MOU will carry out a Port State Control concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) on crew familiarization for enclosed space entry from 1 September 2017. This PSC news includes the official press release and questionnaire by Riyadh MoU and additional guidance by DNV GL.

The Port State Control’s concentrated inspection campaigns (CIC) on Safety of Navigation and Life Saving Appliances will start on 1 September 2017. CICs are periodical inspections that focus on a specific topic and are carried out during routine PSC inspections with an additional checklist for a period of 3 months. This PSC news summarizes DNV GL’s considerations on how to prepare for the upcoming inspections.

The China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) has launched a special inspection on bulk carriers from 15 June to 31 December 2017. The inspection will be carried out in conjunction with the Port State Control (PSC) inspection and Flag State Control (FSC) inspection.

With the press release dated 01 August 2016, TOKYO MoU published a questionnaire of ten questions concerning items to be used by the Port State Control Officer (PSCO) to verify compliance of the Cargo Securing Arrangements. TOKYO MoU, Black Sea MOU and Indian MOU will now carry out a concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) on the Cargo Securing Arrangements from 1 September to 30 November 2016.

With the press release dated 28 July 2016, the Paris MoU published a questionnaire of twelve questions concerning items to be used by the Port State Control Officer (PSCO) to verify compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Furthermore, referring also to our previous PSC Update 02-2015/June, the Paris MoU will now carry out a concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) on MLC, 2006 from 1 September to 30 November 2016.

As of 1 July 2016, the amendments to SOLAS regulation VI/2 regarding required evidence for the verification of the gross mass of packed containers entered into force as defined with IMO Circular Letter No. 3624, dated 10 February 2016. This Technical and Regulatory News provides key information on the VGM requirements to ensure smooth PSC inspections.

PSC: The new inspection regime under the BS MOU will further harmonize its risk-based targeting and inspection system. This will have impact on how frequently vessels will be subject to PSC inspection in this region.

PSC: A Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Safety of Navigation in Riyadh MoU has been announced by the Riyadh MoU (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates). The campaign will last for three months, from 1 October 2015 to 31 December 2015.

PSC: During the last months, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has increased the focus on PSC inspections. This has resulted in an increased number of vessels being detained. For vessels under the Marshall Islands (MHL) flag, the number of detentions has doubled in 2015 compared to the previous years. Therefore, MHL has initiated preventive actions.

PSC: This is a continuation of our previous PSC update no 02-2015/June. In a joint press release dated 2015-07-27, Paris and Tokyo MoU have published a questionnaire containing 10 selected items that will be used by PSCO during the announced Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Enclosed Spaces, which will take place in the period 2015.09.01 – 2015.11.30.

PSC: The port state control statistics for 2014 show that the most frequent type of deficiencies recorded by PSC on DNV GL vessels in 2014 was ISM related deficiencies.

PSC: The concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) for 2015 in the Paris MoU will be on Crew Familiarization for Enclosed Space Entry.

PSC: The 2014 Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on STCW Hours of Rest was carried out from 1 September to 30 November 2014.

PSC: The MARPOL Annex VI (International Air Pollution Prevention) Regulation 14 sets the limitations for sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions from ships.

PSC: In 2011 the United States Coast Guard (USCG) published a Safety Alert regarding the inspection of fuel oil quick-closing valves.

PSC: The Riyadh MoU will be launching a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Fire Safety from 1 October to 31 December 2014 to verify compliance with SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS) onboard ships.

PSC: The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) was adopted in Geneva in 2006 and entered into force on 20 August 2013. The convention is the fourth pillar of international maritime law, along with SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL.

PSC: The Caribbean MoU will be launching a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Fire Safety from 1 September to 30 November 2014 to verify compliance with SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS) on board ships.