
(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) Between 15 January and 14 October 2025, Chinese port authorities will inspect visiting vessels to ensure that personnel involved in enclosed space entry activity understand the risks involved and are properly trained and equipped to control them.
The China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) has launched a special safety inspection campaign aimed at preventing enclosed space accidents onboard vessels. The campaign targets all visiting vessels and runs from 15 January until 14 October 2025.
During the campaign period, Chinese port state officers will conduct special enclosed space entry inspections when onboard, and the correspondents report that inspectors will pay particular attention to topics such as:
Crew training and hazard awareness, including identification of all onboard locations/spaces in which a hazardous atmosphere could develop.
Permit to work system, including barriers and markings to prevent unauthorized entry.
Availability of relevant and well-maintained atmosphere testing and rescue equipment, as well as crews’ familiarity with the equipment.
Conducted enclosed space entry drills in accordance with SOLAS Reg.III/19.3.3.
Be prepared
Enclosed space entry accidents occur on all types of vessels and involve people of all ranks. There appear to be certain recurring patterns in how these accidents continue to occur in the same way and in the same onboard locations. However, the underlying causes are not always evident, as a number of operational, commercial, technical, and training-related factors may impact these types of accidents.
We therefore encourage vessel operators to use China MSA’s special safety campaign as a timely reminder of the necessity of ensuring that persons involved in enclosed space entry activity are aware of the risks and are properly trained and equipped to manage them. Operators and masters should review their enclosed space entry procedures to verify compliance with SOLAS, the ISM Code, relevant IMO and Flag State recommendations, and industry best practices. It is also important to verify that the procedures are fully understood and followed by those working onboard.
Enclosed spaces include, but are not limited to, cargo spaces, double bottoms, fuel tanks, ballast tanks, cargo pump-rooms, cargo compressor rooms, cofferdams, chain lockers, void spaces, duct keels, inter-barrier spaces, boilers, engine crankcases, engine scavenge air receivers, sewage tanks, and the adjacent connected spaces which are normally unventilated and not used for cargo storage but which may share the same atmospheric characteristics with the enclosed spaces.
Frequency of Inspection
In principle, only one special inspection shall be carried out onboard the same ship during the special campaign period, except for the following situations:
1. Where an accident or dangerous situation is triggered due to illegal entry into the enclosed space onboard a ship.
2. Where serious deficiencies or potential risks in the management of entering enclosed spaces onboard the ship are identified during on-site ship supervision.
3. Where a ship is reported underreal name for serious problems or potential risks in the management of entry into the enclosed spaces.
4. Where special inspections are required as designated by the MSA of the Ministry of Transport.
During the period of the campaign Port State Control Officers will be checking items such as:1. Are crew members responsible for enclosed space entry aware of the associated risks? 2. Are the measures in place to permit to work for visitors and crew members for enclosed space entry? 3. Is there a list of enclosed space identified? 4. Are the enclosed spaces marked and for authorized personnel only? 5. Are the atmosphere testing devices regularly checked and calibrated? 6. Are the emergency rescue equipment for enclosed space entry in good condition? 7. Are the personnel familiar with the safe entry and risk assessment procedures for enclosed space? 8. Are the personnel familiar with the operation of safety protective equipment and devices? 9. Is the enclosed space entry and rescue drill in accordance with SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 19.3.3? 10. Is the SMS related to enclosed space operations effectively implemented on board? |
Preparation Suggestions:Â
In recent years, the number of accidents caused by the act of illegally entering enclosed spaces has been increasing year by year, and such illegal acts have pose serious threaten to the safety of both personnel and ships. In view of this, China MSA has launched a special campaign on the illegal entry into enclosed spaces onboard ships, aiming to standardize the behavior of operation personnel entering enclosed places onboard ships and prevent and curb the occurrence of such accidents.
Viewing from an organizational perspective, the special campaign is similar to the Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) held annually by some PSC Memorandum of Understanding organizations, but the inspection period of this campaign is much longer than the PSC CIC. According to the requirements of the special campaign, it will be conducted in combination with the daily supervision and management of shipping companies, safety management system audits, ship safety inspections and on-site supervision, etc. The targets of this special campaign are the ships entering Chinese ports, regardless of their nationality.
In order to effectively respond to this long-term special campaign and avoid the identification of deficiencies related to illegal entry into enclosed spaces during the flag state / PSC inspection, we suggest that whilst conducting self-inspection in accordance with the items listed in the above mentioned inspection checklist, the Shipowners, Managers / Operators and ships should also draw their particular attention on the following aspects in order to pass the inspection smoothly:
1. Self-check therelevant procedures in the SMS documents
Check and confirm that the ship's SMS documents contain the safety operation procedure for guiding the personnel entering enclosed spaces, the emergency response and rescue plan and the maintenance procedure/plan for the safety equipment, communication devices, rescue and first aid tools which are necessary for entering enclosed spaces by way of a thorough self-inspection. The SMS documents should be modified and improved in accordance with appropriate procedures if the aforementioned procedures / plans are found to be absent.
2. Establish and strictly complywith the risk assessment and entry permit system
Ensure that crew members possess the ability to determine the various types of hazards and risk levels that may exist in the enclosed spaces by comprehensively analyze on the various factual conditions such as cargo type, ventilation status, operation type, gas composition, tank coating, adjacent area conditions, etc., and able to propose reasonable measures to reduce the corresponding risks to an acceptable level and keep proper records. After sufficient risk assessment, an authorized entry permit from the master or the designated person in charge shall be obtained before entering. Furthermore, the entry permit should be kept on board along with the risk assessment documents for inspection.
3. Physical inspection of enclosed spaces and the related equipment
Ships should regularly identify and establish a list of enclosed spaces on board. Through regular inspections, ships shall confirm that the entrances or passageways to the enclosed space are in good maintenance condition, free from obstacles that could affect the safe entry of personnel and rescue operations; the internal structures within the enclosed spaces are complete, safe and reliable; the connecting ventilation systems are working properly; and the interior equipment such as lighting, fixed gas monitoring equipment, water level detectors (if any), etc. are in good working condition. In addition, regular inspection should also be carried out to ensure the personal protective equipment, rescue tools, communication devices etc. are in good order.
4. Training and Emergency Drills
Provide regular training to crew members, conduct drills for entering enclosed spaces strictly in accordance with the requirements of the Convention (every two months) and keep the training and drill records. Through adequate training and drills, ensure that crew members are familiar with their emergency responsibilities, aware of the dangers of enclosed spaces, understand the correct procedures for entering enclosed spaces and familiar with emergency evacuation and the rescue procedures. Ensure that the responsible personnel can correctly inspect, use, and maintain the protective and rescue equipment, and is proficient in the operating, inspection, testing, and calibration of the fixed and portable gas detection instruments.
Last but not least, it is equally important to promptly notify ships destined for Chinese ports about the ongoing special campaign being carried out by China MSA during this period so that crew members have sufficient time to prepare for the onboard inspections and pass them smoothly.
Source: China MSA