RightShip will implement a phased approach to begin inspecting vessels at a younger age in a commitment to enhance safety standards.
This move is a response to feedback from customers who have emphasised the importance of identifying risks early and implementing mitigation strategies, reported the company.
Starting on 31 March 2025, RightShip will roll out the new inspection policy in two phases:
- Phase 1 (2025): The age for mandatory inspections of Dry Bulk and General Cargo vessels will be reduced from 14 years to 12 years, requiring an annual RightShip Inspection thereafter.
- Phase 2 (2026): The threshold will further decrease, mandating inspections for vessels aged 10 years and older.
Moreover, vessels with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of less than 8,000 will also need to undergo similar inspections, aiming for uniform safety standards across the global Dry Bulk and General Cargo fleet.
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Christopher Saunders, RightShip’s Chief Maritime Officer, said: “Our decision to lower the inspection age from 14 to 10 years, in a phased approach, reflects the desire from stakeholders for more physical inspections of vessels to counter challenges the dry sector faces in achieving operational excellence.
“This change reflects our commitment to raising safety standards globally and comes at a critical time as the global dry bulk fleet now averages 14.7 years in age and will continue to rise.”
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Data from RightShip indicates that the Dry Bulk sector lags behind others in key safety metrics. For instance, bulk carriers have the highest incident ratio at 1.49 per cent, while fatalities in this sector are notably higher, with a fatality ratio of 0.42 per cent.
Additionally, bulk carriers face a Port State Control detention ratio of 4.69 per cent, which is four times greater than that of oil tankers.
The analysis also highlights that as bulk carriers age—particularly after reaching 10 years—their incident and detention ratios significantly increase. This trend is particularly pronounced in larger vessels (those over 200,000 DWT) and signals the need for early safety interventions.
