International Port Inspection Campaign on Ship Stability – Are you ready?

The Member Authorities of the Tokyo and the Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control will launch a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Stability (in general). The purpose of the campaign on ship’s stability is to confirm that the ship’s crew is familiar with assessing the actual stability condition on completion of cargo operations before departure of the ship and on all stages of the voyage, to create awareness among the ship’s crew and owners about the importance of calculating the actual stability condition of the ship on completion of cargo operations and before departure of the ship, and to verify that the ship complies with intact stability requirements (and damage stability requirements, if applicable) under the relevant IMO instruments. This inspection campaign started on September 1st and will last for 3 months.

 

It is expected that the Tokyo and Paris MoUs will carry out approximately 10,000 inspections during the CIC, but this is subject to any developments during the current COVID-19 pandemic. All inspections carried out will be subject to ongoing health and safety requirements in individual port States.

 

The following questions will need to be answered:

  • Has the ship been provided with approved stability information which can be understood and easily used by the Master and loading officer?

  • Is the data used in the stability check for departure complete and correct?

  • Does the ship comply with the stability criteria as applicable to the ship type?

  • Is there evidence to show that the Master or responsible officer can determine the stability of the ship under varying conditions of service using the approved stability information provided on board?

  • If the ship is provided with a Stability Instrument, is it approved by the Administration?

  • If the ship is provided with a Stability Instrument, does the type of stability software in use meet the requirements for the relevant ship type?

 

Herbert Engineering Corp. can help with any ship stability issues you may have. Please contact any of our US or international offices.