MOVES BY Melbourne-founded safety-focused digital maritime platform RightShip to change its vessel inspection age triggers in the dry bulk and general cargo sectors (DCN 11 October) has Intercargo worried.
The representative body said its members have voiced “deep concerns” regarding RightShip’s decision to reduce the age limit of bulk carriers eligible for vetting inspections, as discussed during the Association’s Executive Committee meeting held in London on 15 October.
“This decision was made without prior consultation with the owners and managers of bulk carriers, the very stakeholders who will be impacted by such changes,” Intercargo said.
“While we fully support efforts to enhance safety and quality standards across the industry, we believe that significant operational decisions, such as this, should involve input from all relevant stakeholders,” the body said. “An inclusive approach ensures a fair and measured process, giving the industry the necessary time to adapt—especially in light of the significant operational challenges faced by seafarers, who have already expressed serious concerns over the increasing workload.
“In light of these issues, we strongly urge RightShip to reconsider the timeline for implementing this decision, particularly as the current vetting inspection regime was only introduced two years ago. A delay in applying the new age limit would allow ship operators and seafarers sufficient time to adjust to the evolving requirements, while upholding the high standards of safety and efficiency that are essential to our industry,” Intercargo said.
“INTERCARGO remains dedicated to engaging with stakeholders across the maritime sector to ensure a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future for dry bulk shipping, and we call on RightShip and other key players to adopt a similarly inclusive approach.”
RightShip said it will implement a two-phase approach to require inspections of vessels at an earlier age with Phase One beginning on 31 March 2025 when the trigger inspection for those vessel types will change from 14 years to 12 years, after which an annual acceptable RightShip Inspection will be required.
In Phase Two, in 2026, the age threshold will be further reduced, requiring inspections for vessels aged 10 years or older. Additionally, RightShip will require vessels with less than 8,000 DWT to undergo similar inspection making the safety standard more consistent across the global dry bulk and general cargo fleet.
RightShip said its policy change is driven by clear evidence of risks with ageing vessels and is informed by extensive industry dialogue over the last 12 months.
