News

Report on 2010 Policy Year P&I Condition Surveys

11 May 2011 No.11-003
We are pleased to report to you on the condition surveys carried out during the 2010 Policy Year ( 20 February 2010 ~ 20 February 2011).

1. General Policy
Our criteria are as follows;

(1)Pre-entry surveys :
All vessels : 10 years old and over, however include;
(a) Any chemical tankers with coated tanks : 6 years old and over

(2)Entered vessels :All vessels : at 16 years old, however include;
(a) Any vessels suffering two or more similar accidents due to unseaworthiness
(b) Any chemical tankers with coated tanks entered for Indemnity Risks : at 6 years old
(c) Any reefer vessels entered for Indemnity Risks : at 11 years old
(d) Any tankers which have carried Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) as cargo within the last 12 months : 10 years old and over unless;
- the vessel has undergone our condition survey within the last 12 months; or
- the vessel has undergone a special survey by the classification society; or
- the vessel has a current CAP 1 or CAP 2 rating issued by an IACS classification society.

(3)Recheck :
(a) All vessels surveyed by under (1) and (2) : Every 4 years after the first survey.
(b) Vessels entered at 20 years old and over : Every 2 years after the entry survey.

Note:-
1. One or two surveyors of the Association's designated organization will conduct a condition survey in accordance with the Association's requirements focusing on; certificates/documentations; maintenance; navigation plans; lifesaving appliances; fire control plans; seaworthiness; cargo worthiness and; other aspects depending on vessels types and their special characteristics. A condition survey takes half a day up to 2 days at the longest without causing any delays to the vessel. Our requirements include the weather tightness test for hatch covers, the pressure test for ballast tanks and the internal inspection of cargo holds, and it is impossible to accomplish them all without the cooperation of the Master and crew. It is also necessary that the survey is conducted in presence of crew. Upon completion of the survey, the surveyor will brief the recommendations to the Master.

2. In addition to our criteria stated above, we often carry out condition surveys of the vessels that caused claims due to unseaworthiness, in order to investigate the cause of the claims.

3. It is preferable to carry out a survey prior to the entry to the Association. If it is impossible, however, we will carry out a condition survey within 30 days after the entry.

2. Implementation status of 2010 policy year
(1) Number of inspected vessels:
In total, 198 vessels were surveyed, 133 being entered vessels and 65 pre-entry, which make 25% increase over last year.
Place and vessel's type of our inspections were as follows.

Fig.1. Breakdown of survey places
country
Number of
vessels
Japan
China
Korea
Singapore
Indonesia
Taiwan, Philippine, Thailand
U.S.A., Turkey, South Africa, the Netherlands, Portugal
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Vietnam, India, U.A.E., Poland,
Russia, Germany, U.K.
83
34
33
13
6
(each)3
(each)2
(each)1

    Fig.2. Breakdown oftypes
Types of vessels
Number of
vessels
General Cargo Vessel
Bulk Carrier
Ore/Coal Carrier
Wood ChipCarrier
PCC/RORO Vessel
Reefer Carrier
Container Carrier
CementCarrier
Heavy Cargo Carrier
Barge
Chemical Tanker
LPG/LNG Tanker
OtherTankers
Passenger/Ferry
Training Ship
FishingVessel
26
20
21
16
26
14
12
6
1
1
22
8
17
3
4
1

(2) Results of surveys:
Out of 198 vessels, 59 vessels did not have any recommendations, and 139 vessels received recommendations. Most of the vessels received more than one recommendation that include followings.
(A) Repairs required
a. Hatch covers/Hatch coaming 64
b. Hold/Tank 27
c. Shell Plate/Bulkhead 5
d. Decks/Bulwark 14
e. Water tight door 17
f. Mooring gear 34
g. Cargo gear 2
h. Lashing gear 5
i. Main/Auxiliary Engine 22
j. Others 123

(B) Inappropriate documentation or certificates and others
k. Chart 6
l. Emergency Equipment 39
m. Owners Instruction 6
n. Others 61
Total 425

(3) Actions taken by the Association
As results of the condition surveys, we attached Defect Warranties on 11 vessels and asked their owners to take immediate steps to rectify the deficiencies. The restrictions in cover are to be lifted after been confirmed as rectified at follow-up surveys. Follow-up surveys are to be carried out within 30 days after the notification. We recommend rectification even for minor defects in order for the safe voyage and prevention of accidents; we hope it will be of any help for the improvement in the management and daily maintenance of vessels.

3. The Association's Policy
A recent trend of the high increase in the number of claims can be related to the increase of the tonnages in shipping industry causing the shortage of crew especially those with high level of skills, as well as the introduction of several international regulations placing more emphasis on the ship owners' legal liabilities. Under these circumstances, maintaining and improving the entered vessel's quality are essential for members and us both. The Association is now promoting Cost Saving Plan, and for this, condition survey is one of the most important aspects we are focusing upon. In 2011 policy year, we will continue enhancing condition surveys of the entered vessels, our target being 200 vessels to be surveyed.

The inspection items of the condition survey are composed in accordance with the vessel's type. Please feel free to contact us and we will provide you with the format and further information. (Phone: +81-3-3662-7229, e-mail:lossprevention-dpt@piclub.or.jp) The members' kind understanding and cooperation would be highly appreciated.