Abstract
The purpose of this study was to report the data analysis results from the International Health Regulations (2005) Ship Sanitation Certificates (SSCs), recorded in the European Information System (EIS). International sea trade and population movements by ships can contribute to the global spread of diseases. SSCs are issued to ensure the implementation of control measures if a public health risk exists on board. EIS designed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) “Handbook for Inspection of Ships and Issuance of SSC”. Inspection data were recorded and SSCs issued by inspectors working at European ports were analysed. From July 2011–February 2017, 107 inspectors working at 54 ports in 11 countries inspected 5579 ships. Of these, there were 29 types under 85 flags (including 19 EU Member States flags). As per IHR (2005) 10,281 Ship Sanitation Control Exception Certificates (SSCECs) and 296 Ship Sanitation Control Certificates (SSCCs) were issued, 74 extensions to existing SSCs were given, 7565 inspection findings were recorded, and 47 inspections were recorded without issuing an SSC. The most frequent inspection findings were the lack of potable water quality monitoring reports (23%). Ships aged ≥12 years (odds ratio, OR = 1.77, 95% confidence intervals, CI = 1.37–2.29) with an absence of cargo at time of inspection (OR = 3.36, 95% CI = 2.51–4.50) had a higher probability of receiving an SSCC, while ships under the EU MS flag had a lower probability of having inspection findings (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.66–0.79). Risk factors to prioritise the inspections according to IHR were identified by using the EIS. A global information system, or connection of national or regional information systems and data exchange, could help to better implement SSCs using common standards and procedures.
Highlights
International sea trade and population movements by ships can play a role in the global spread of diseases
Of the 26 countries that have identified the competent authorities for inspecting ships and issuing Ship Sanitation Certificates (SSCs), six deal exclusively with duties related to ships, whereas 22 have parallel duties
Twelve of 27 countries (44.4%) have defined national guidelines for issuing Ship Sanitation Control Exception Certificates (SSCECs)/Ship Sanitation Control Certificates (SSCCs) that include a checklist for inspection
Summary
International sea trade and population movements by ships can play a role in the global spread of diseases. 50,000 of the world’s total fleet of 93,161 propelled seagoing merchant ships sail internationally, and 90% of world trade is carried by the international shipping industry [1,2]. The International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR (2005)) with their regulatory functions, include certificates applicable to international travel and transport. They include requirements for international ports, ship operators, container shippers, consignees and consignors, in order to provide a global regime for the control of public health risks internationally [3]. Operators of ships sailing on international voyages must hold a Ship Sanitation Certificate (SSC), which can be either a Ship. SSCs are issued by inspectors of the competent authorities after conducting a ship inspection, and are valid for six months [3]
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