Marine News

The ABS Port State Control Quarterly Report Q4 2021 (PSC) provides information with photos of deficiencies identified on ABS vessels during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the 4th Quarter of 2021. This report is being made available to assist owners and surveyors by providing awareness of potential areas of concern that have been identified on ABS classed vessels.

The focus of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is to provide classification services to promote the common safety, environmental and regulatory interests of its members and clients, including builders, owners, operators and surveyors of ships. Since its inception in 1862, ABS has been a global leader in marine safety. With more than 2,000 technical professionals positioned around the world, the ABS team has the experience, knowledge, and professional judgment to assist vessel owners and operators.

PSC inspections have proven to be an effective tool for eliminating substandard vessels that may be in operation, which may impact maritime safety and the marine environment. A ship is regarded as substandard if the hull, machinery, equipment, accommodation or operational safety and the protection of the environment is substantially below the standards required by the relevant conventions or if the crew is not in conformity with the safe manning document. Evidence that the ship, its equipment, or its crew do not comply substantially with the requirements of the relevant conventions or that the master or crew members are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to the safety of ships or the prevention of pollution may be clear grounds for the PSC inspector to conduct a more detailed inspection.

Click to download the report: ABS Port State Report Q4 2021

Silver nitrate testing is carried out to detect the type of halide ion in a given solution. Steel products such as coils of rolled steel sheet, billets, tubes and steel plate are routinely presented for shipment at sea. The hot rolled steel products can at times be transported to outside shore storage and transit sheds without the provision of a covering or protection from the elements.

Steel products can be high value cargo that is susceptible to contamination from chlorides which are corrosive. Contamination from chlorides can occur at any stage of the transportation and storage process following production. Unfortunately, it is generally only during sea transportation that claims will be brought forward for alleged “seawater wetting” as it is an easy allegation that the contamination has Continue reading “The purpose and limitations of silver nitrate testing”