Analysis of Pollution Related Deficiencies Identified through PSC Inspections for the Period 2014–2018

Helena Ukić Boljat,Gorana Jelić Mrčelić,Anita Gudelj,Igor Jelaska,Merica Slišković

doi:10.3390/su12155956

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the available data on recorded ship deficiencies during ship inspections which are related to pollution prevention. The purpose of these inspections regulated under the different Port State Control (PSC) regimes’ Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), is to detect and disable the operation of substandard ships. The data obtained were sorted according to the six Annexes of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Convention, and a comparison was made within the scope of each Memorandum of Understanding by each of the Annexes and antifouling system. By using a Chi-Squared test and correlation analysis, MoUs are compared and analyzed. The conclusions thus obtained provide an insight into the most common deficiencies regarding pollution prevention in the world fleet, revealing which standards are most often met and which are trying to achieve a better degree of compliance with the standards envisaged by law.

Highlights

Maritime transport is of strategic importance to the global economy
Strengthening national capacity to respond to marine pollution incidents, promotion of the ratification and enhancement of effective implementation and enforcement of International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC), International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM), and International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) are stated as direct International Maritime Organization (IMO) linkages with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 14 [3]
The International Maritime Organization through given Procedures for Port State Control: Resolution A.787 (19), as amended by the resolution A.882 (21) [11,12] indicates that ship is regarded as substandard if the “hull, machinery, equipment, or operational safety, is substantially below the standards required by the relevant conventions or whose crew is not in conformance with the safe manning document, owing to, inter alia: 1. the absence of principal equipment or arrangement required by the conventions; 2. non-compliance of equipment or arrangement with relevant specifications of the conventions; 3. substantial deterioration of the ship or its equipment because of e.g., poor maintenance; 4. insufficiency of operational proficiency, or unfamiliarity of essential operational procedures by the crew; and 5. insufficiency of manning or insufficiency of certification of seafarers.”

Summary

Introduction

Maritime transport is of strategic importance to the global economy. In 2017, world seaborne trade gathered momentum, with estimation of 10.7 billion tons and volumes expanding at 4 per cent, which represents the fastest growth in five years [1]. In order to prevent pollution from ships and improve the safety and security of international shipping, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is oriented to SDG 14 Life below water. The main objective of regional agreements on PSC-Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is to eliminate the operation of substandard ships and to achieve uniformity of requirements of the ports in the same region. The International Maritime Organization through given Procedures for Port State Control: Resolution A.787 (19), as amended by the resolution A.882 (21) [11,12] indicates that ship is regarded as substandard if the “hull, machinery, equipment, or operational safety, is substantially below the standards required by the relevant conventions or whose crew is not in conformance with the safe manning document, owing to, inter alia: 1.

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