The Paris Memorandum on Port State Control will begin a Concentrated Inspection Campaign to check for correct damage stability on chemical tankers, gas carriers and oil tankers. Inspections are due to begin on September 1 and will continue until November 30.
The campaign was organised following concerns that tankers are frequently operating without due compliance with damage stability regulations or sailing in a loading condition not covered by the relevant stability book. Some vessels have also been operating with no means of assessing damage stability.
Throughout the campaign, tankers within a Paris MOU region will be subject to checks, including verification of the stability information book and other relevant documentation. Port State Control Officers will refer to a list of nine items in order to verify critical areas for tanker stability and the questionnaire will be published on the website of the Paris MOU.
The results of the campaign will be analysed and presented to governing bodies of the MOU before submission to the International Maritime Organization.