The Tokyo MOU has released its Annual Report 2024, which conducted 32,054 inspections, which is four times the number of inspections undertaken three decades ago.
The Tokyo MOU noted that the detention rate has decreased 0.6 percentage points in 2024, continuous attention and emphasis needs to be paid as the level of detentions is still higher than that of the pre-pandemic period and almost the same level as that of ten years before. Furthermore, in 2024, the number of under-performing ships are nearly double that of the previous year, which indicates the condition of ships in the region is becoming worse. An analysis of recorded deficiencies/detentions has not revealed any specific area as the primary cause of this situation of non-compliance.
Serious concerns have been raised by the Tokyo MOU regarding cases of improper conduct of certain flag States and recognized organizations (ROs), such as extending the validity of certificates in violation of limitations imposed by the relevant conventions, accepting and/or approving unjustified equivalent arrangements and the conduct of remote surveys that were not in line with the IMO guidelines and ineffective from a safety and environmental protection point of view.
A total of 77,526 deficiencies were recorded in 2024. Fire safety measures, lifesaving appliances, working and living conditions and safety of navigation continue to be the major categories of deficiencies discovered on ships. In 2024, 15,406 deficiencies related to fire safety measures, 10,263 deficiencies related to life-saving appliances, 8,193 deficiencies related to working and living conditions and 8,066 deficiencies related to safety of navigation were recorded, representing 54% of the total number of all recorded deficiencies.
As a result of the CIC on Crew Wages and Seafarer Employment Agreements under MLC, 2006, deficiencies related to Conditions of employment and Health protection, medical care, social security increased notably, compared to the previous year. In addition, there were continuous increase of deficiencies on Certificates Water/Weathertight and Documentation, conditions, Alarms, Dangerous goods, Labour Conditions – Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering and MARPOL Annex VI.
Read the full report: Tokyo MOU Annual Report 2024