(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) This annual report summarizes the port State control developments and activities of the Tokyo MOU in 2020. Moreover, the report also provides port State control statistics and analysis on the results of inspections carried out by member Authorities during the year.
The activities of the Tokyo MOU were also seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of inspections has reduced by approximately
40%, and the inspection rate is reduced by 20 points compared with the previous year.
Furthermore, the joint concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) on Stability in General with
the Paris MoU scheduled in 2020 had to be postponed by one year. In addition, almost all the planned technical co-operation activities were either postponed or cancelled.
Looking through the statistics in 2020, the notable increase trend of deficiencies relating to
Working & Living Conditions or Maritime Labour Conditions can be identified, which reflects
the severe impacts by COVID-19 on crew change and seafarers’ repatriation. In line with
previous years, ISM is the most common category where detainable deficiencies are recorded in 2020. Moreover, percentages of ISM related deficiencies and detainable
deficiencies are higher than the previous year, which also reflect inefficient and inappropriate responses by ships and their companies to the COVID-19 crisis. The safety management system, which is already a vital part for ensuring ships to sail safely, securely and to minimise pollution events, is even more important during the pandemic situation.
Currently, the COVID-19 situation is still evolving and the challenges emanated could be
expanded and prolonged. Recognizing the importance of port State Control activities to
ensure maritime safety, marine environment protection and living and working conditions of seafarers, the Tokyo MOU has initiated some countermeasures for reducing and minimizing impacts of COVID-19 to the activities and will further explore and employ necessary pragmatic steps so as to maintain appropriate and effective maritime operations under this difficult time.
Inspections:
In 2020, 19,415 inspections, involving 13,047 individual ships, were carried out on ships
registered under 94 flags. Out of 19,415 inspections, there were 9,763 inspections where ships were found with deficiencies. Since the total number of individual ships operating in the region was estimated at 25,858, the inspection rate in the region was approximately 50% in 2020.
Detentions:
In 2020, 493 ships registered under 49 flags were detained due to serious deficiencies having been found onboard. The detention rate of ships inspected was 2.54%.
A list of under-performing ships (i.e. ships detained three or more times during previous
twelve months) is published monthly. A total of 59 vessels, involving 13 individual ships, were identified as under-performing ships in 2020.
Deficiencies:
A total of 34,924 deficiencies were recorded in 2020. It has been noted that fire safety measures, life-saving appliances and safety of navigation continue to be the top three categories of deficiencies discovered on ships. In 2020, 5,902 deficiencies related to fire safety measures, 4,177 deficiencies related to life-saving appliances and 3,681 safety of navigation related deficiencies were recorded, representing nearly 40% of the total number of all recorded deficiencies.
Although number of deficiencies decreased more than 50% comparing with last year, proportion of deficiencies related to Working & Living Conditions or Labour Conditions increased from 10% in 2019 to 15% in 2020 as the consequence of issues on seafarers’ leave and repatriation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For even more details, view the full Tokyo MOU 2020 Port State Control report by clicking on below image.
Source: Tokyo MOU