On 25 February 2013 Namura Shipbuilding acquired AIP (Approval in Principle) from NKK regarding the MIBS (Minimal Ballast water Ship) VLCC project, for which the company has been working for years together with Shipbuilding Research Centre of Japan and with the support of Japanese Government. This tanker design reduces the weight of ballast water required by about 65 percent compared with a conventional hull form.
The following tables summarize some findings from the PSC inspections conducted in the main PSC MoU areas (Black Sea MoU, Mediterranean MoU, Indian Ocean MoU, Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU) during last month. Data have been also gathered from various Coast Guard agencies and are presented in each month’s report. Data from other PSC MoUs (Vina del Mar, Abuja MoU, Riyadh MoU) could not be extracted at the time this report has been issued and therefore were not included.
| PSC MoUs | Black Sea | Mediterranean | Indian | Paris | Tokyo |
| Total Inspections | 509 | 456 | 436 | 1351 | 2462 |
| With Deficiencies | 376 | 243 | 261 | 937 | 1608 |
| Without Deficiencies | 133 | 213 | 175 | 414 | 854 |
| Detentions | 21 | 27 | 16 | 53 | 80 |
The following tables summarize some general findings from the PSC inspections conducted in the main PSC MoU areas (Black Sea MoU, Mediterranean MoU, Indian Ocean MoU, Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU) during last month. Data have been also gathered from various Coast Guard agencies and are presented in each month’s report. Data from other PSC MoUs (Vina del Mar, Abuja MoU, Riyadh MoU) could not be extracted at the time this report has been issued and therefore were not included.
| PSC MoUs | Black Sea | Mediterranean | Indian | Paris | Tokyo |
| Total Inspections | 493 | 488 | 445 | 1446 | 3193 |
| With Deficiencies | 356 | 245 | 265 | 1055 | 2133 |
| Without Deficiencies | 137 | 243 | 180 | 391 | 1060 |
| Detentions | 18 | 42 | 21 | 72 | 108 |
The world’s first specialized vessel for the carriage of Nickel Ore has been built and registered to the NK class. The vessel, the Jules Garnier II, was built by Naikai Zosen Corporation and delivered to Japanese shipping major JX Shipping Co. Ltd on 19 September 2012, and is the first vessel in the world to be recognized as a Specially Constructed Cargo Ship for the carriage of Nickel Ore in accordance with the IMO’s IMSBC Code. The 27,200 dwt Jules Garnier II is the first vessel in the world to apply ClassNK’s new requirements in its construction and makes use longitudinal bulkheads in in its cargo holds to ensure stability and structural strength even when liquefied nickel ore cargoes are loaded.
This year’s NKK annual Port State Control (PSC) report summarizes deficiencies identified by PSC inspections carried out in various countries around the world. Last year due to several new conventions or amendments such as the ISPS Code, the Bulk Carrier Safety initiative, and air pollution prevention, etc. have come into force, the extent of PSC inspections has been further increased.
According to statistic data of PSC inspections for ships classed with ClassNK in 2011, a frequency of PSC pointing-out deficiencies with the lifeboat arrangements had once decreased in 2010, however, it was increased again in 2011 to the top frequency (277 deficiencies pointed out / 78 detentions).
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Officer of the Watch 