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.
Relevant for owners and managers of bulk carriers.
- In an effort to help ensure the safety of life at sea, bulk carriers above 15 years of age and more than 10,000 gross tonnage engaged on international voyages shall be targeted for inspection with priority.
- The inspection of bulk carriers converted from tankers without the special inspection will not be limited by time windows. Except in special cases, bulk carriers converted from tankers must undergo PSC inspection at the first port of call after the campaign starts (an updated list of ships can be found on the PSC data centre website).
- The inspection shall be carried out as per standard inspection window of the Tokyo MOU for a selection of ships.
Inspection will focus on the ship’s structure and ballast tanks. PSC officers may require the ballast tanks to be opened for internal examination.
Topic of inspection:
- Loading/unloading plan agreed by the ship and terminal (IMO Res. A.862(20))
- Approved cargo/ballast operation manual
- ESP documents of the bulk carrier (IMO Res. A744 (18))
- Thickness measurement reports
- Weathertightness of hatch covers
- Hatch corners and hatch coamings
- Frames/plating of cargo spaces
- Bulkhead structures of cargo spaces
- Ballast tank structures
Recommendations
- Become familiarized with topics of inspection and inform the crew
- Consider the Checklist of Special Inspection Campaign on Large Bulk Carrier provided by the Liberian flag (see references)
References
PDF Checklist of Special Inspection Campaign on Large Bulk Carrier provided by the Liberian flag
Contact
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Otherwise: Use our office locator to find the nearest DNV GL maritime office or email us