Port State inspectors in the US will launch a Concentrated Inspection Campaign focusing on fire safety and equipment aboard commercial vessels after a spate of recent fires at sea.
The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Tokyo MoU, which oversee Port State inspections, have announced that they will launch the program on September 1.
The MoUs will analyse the results of the three-month intensified inspection program and may issue recommendations to the International Maritime Organisation, which could influence future fire safety regulations.
The Paris MoU highlighted in its latest annual report that fire safety issues were the leading cause of detentions in 2022, and that there had been a significant increase in deficiencies and detentions registered during inspections.
Additionally, the US Coast Guard recently reported rising safety-related issues with fire safety topping the list of deficiencies.
Issues ranging from oil waste, fuel leaks, oil in the bilge, and safety and fire equipment deficiencies are among the concerns identified by the authorities.
During the three-month programme, the authorities will heighten their safety equipment inspections and ensure that the crew is adequately trained to deal with fire emergencies at sea.
"The purpose of this additional verification is to make sure the vessels and their crew are familiar with the requirements established in terms of the vessel fire safety and ISM (International Safety Management), and its importance for the vessel's safety operations, verifying that the vessels comply with the applicable international instruments, and the proper implementation of the safety management system," the Panama Maritime Authority said.
The concentrated inspections will be conducted in addition to the regular ship safety inspections already conducted.
The 20-point safety questionnaire focuses on issues regarding vessel maintenance to ensure emergency routes are safe and includes scrutiny of safety equipment to ensure it meets international regulations.
Documents and records will also be inspected on the vessel.
These measures come when the industry is battling complex safety issues, including the shipment of electric, battery-powered cars and the problem of misdeclared dangerous cargo.
German multinational insurer, Allianz, recently warned that the number of fires aboard vessels was climbing and that a total of 64 ships were lost due to fires over the past five years.
