Risk Assessment in the Istanbul Strait Using Black Sea MOU Port State Control Inspections

Abstract

Abstract:The Istanbul Strait has intense maritime traffic while, at the same time, it poses significant navigational challenges. Due to these properties, there is always a high risk arising from maritime shipping in this region. Especially, substandard ships threaten life, as well as the marine environment. In this aspect, Black Sea Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Port State Control Inspections are important for maritime safety in the Istanbul Strait, because they directly reflect the performance of ships passing through the Istanbul Strait. Stringent and effective inspections assist in the enhancement of navigation safety and help to develop sustainable environment management. In this context, this study aims to assess maritime safety for the Strait region concerning passing flag states. Firstly, to assess the performance of flag states in general, the Black Sea MOU Black-Grey-White lists were generated for the period 2004-2014 and the change in the performance of these flags was examined. Secondly, the risk level of each flag state passing from the Strait region was determined using the method of weighted points based on the Black-Grey-White List, deficiency index level, casualty index level, and passing index level.

Analysis of Pollution Related Deficiencies Identified through PSC Inspections for the Period 2014–2018

“…International Maritime Organization defines Port State Control (PSC) as "the inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify that the condition of the ship and its equipment comply with the requirements of international regulations and that the ship is manned and operated in compliance with these rules" [7]. A Port State Control is a general practice followed by port authorities around the world with the general aim of developing an effective and sustainable inspection mechanism [8]. Inspection is done in order to ensure that the condition of foreign ships, equipment and crew are well above the excepted level [9].…”

“…Inspection is done in order to ensure that the condition of foreign ships, equipment and crew are well above the excepted level [9]. On completion of the inspection, if a ship cannot comply with the standards required by the legislative framework of the IMO, it is called a substandard ship and can be detained and deficiencies rectified [8,10].…”

“…Indian Ocean MoU (Indian Ocean region) Through a literature review, it is evident that PSC plays a decisive role in reducing risk and ensuring maritime safety and, therefore, minimizes the risk of possible pollution [14]. Although, all regional regimes are essentially the same, there are many differences regarding ship targeting, implementation and performance of inspections [8,10,15]. While targeting ships, all the regimes pick certain ship types and use history of inspection and time criteria, but do not take into consideration each other s inspections as well as the inspections conducted by the industry [15,16].…”

“…While targeting ships, all the regimes pick certain ship types and use history of inspection and time criteria, but do not take into consideration each other s inspections as well as the inspections conducted by the industry [15,16]. Furthermore, the most comprehensive and strict inspections are made within the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU, which also have the most efficient methods for selecting ships for inspection [8,13]. The Paris MoU assigns a ship risk profile in the information system THETIS.…”

The impact of the Maritime Labor Convention on seafarers’ working and living conditions: an analysis of port state control statistics

“…It creates an additional incentive for ship owners to make sure their ships comply with existing standards. PSC has been a part of maritime law since the early twentieth century and is intended as a second safety measure for the identification of substandard ships [9][10][11]. Since the 1980s, several regional agreements, so-called Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), have been signed to coordinate and standardize PSC inspections and to increase efficiency by sharing inspections and information.…”