Local authorities in Qingdao and Shanghai ports have recently announced tighter control on ships with mechanical and electrical failures, resulting in some ships being detained consecutively due to PSC inspection.
Qingdao Port
Local authorities issued a notice to ships via local agents informing ships to focus more on safety management, particularly on main engine, steering engine and boiler etc., which need to be properly tested and checked before entering or leaving the port, to avoid delay to ships’ schedule due to PSC inspection resulting from mechanical and electrical failures. A “Self-checklist for Ships Intending to Enter Qingdao Port” is attached to the notice suggesting 9 items (falling into three categories: M/E & A/E, Main and Emergency Power and Steering Gear) are to be checked in advance. It is noted that Qingdao MSA plans to establish a “list” of ships which are continuously found with mechanical and electrical failure or main engine failure.
Shanghai Port
Ships will be detained by PSCOs if found with mechanical and electrical failures or main engine malfunction, and will not be permitted to depart until rectification is made.
Wusong MSA also issued a similar notice announcing enhanced safety inspection to ships entering the Shanghai section of Yangtze River. Ships are required to test the main engine, steering system and emergency equipment etc. to ensure they are in good working condition. Starting from 01 April, 2023, the following procedures need to be followed:
- Ships with mechanical and electrical failures or accident records within one year in Shanghai port are requested to conduct testing and inspection of critical equipment.
- Documentation of self-testing and inspection such as forms, logs, pictures or video records (pictures and videos must be with marks of date & time) should be well kept.
- A “Self-checklist for Ships Intending to Enter the Yangtze River Shanghai Section” is also attached to the notice, listing 10 items.
Other Ports
At this moment, there hasn’t been any particular requirement for ships to carry out self-testing and inspection to mechanical and electrical equipment or main engine etc. before arrival. However, ships may be delayed in some ports due to resumption of on-site PSC inspection this year, which has been replaced by remote inspection during the pandemic.
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Source: Xindermarinenews
