GMB to enforce stricter document checking for vessels

The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has proposed enforcement of a more rigorous certificate checking regime for vessels in operation for 25 years and above,in a bid to avert incidents of oils pills in Indian waters. The move comes in the wake of the massive oil spill from cargo ship M V Rak,which sunk off the Mumbai coast last week.

“We have issued orders to all ports in Gujarat to rigorously check sea worthiness certificates issued to vessels of 25 years and above,” said GMB Chief Nautical Officer Capt S C Mathur. He said now all shipping agents responsible for inward and outward clearance of vessels will have to ensure that ships of 25 years and above – that have undergone structural changes – have the last dry dock report giving complete details of machinery replacements and the like.

“Along with the last dry dock report,we want the classification society to endorse the stability booklet of the vessel,which certifies whether the ship is fit to undertake voyage after the structural changes. It will be mandatory for vessels to have insurance cover for wreck removal and oil pollution to be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival in a port,” said Mathur.

Generally,owners of old ships,in order to avail flag of convenience regime (where safety norms are relaxed),get their vessels registered in those countries which have a lax certificate checking regime. GMB had raised the issue of tackling vessels of 25 years and above entering Indian waters at the recently held meeting of the Maritime State Development Council,headed by the Union Minister of Shipping.