What changes has RightShip made regarding vessel inspection age triggers, and why?
RightShip has revised its vessel inspection age trigger, reducing the inspection threshold from 14 to 10 years through a four-phased approach. This change aims to improve safety within the dry bulk sector, which continues to face higher rates of incidents, fatalities, and Port State Control (PSC) detentions compared to other shipping segments. RightShip will require vessels of less than 8,000 DWT to undergo similar inspection making the safety standard more consistent across the global Dry Bulk and General Cargo fleet.
What does the revised phased approach for implementing the new inspection age trigger entail?
In response to industry concerns RightShip has introduced the following updates:
- Extended Timeline with Four Phases: The rollout has been expanded to a four-phase implementation, giving vessel owners and operators more time to adjust budgets, train crew, and plan for inspections. All vessels now have at least 12 months’ notice from the initial announcement before Safety Score impacts take effect. This phased approach also allows RightShip to accredit additional inspectors.
- Alignment with Dry Dock: For Phase 4, inspections for vessels aged 10 years will now align with the Second Special Survey Dry Dock, with a three-month buffer post-completion before inspection requirements take effect.
Why is the timeline between Phase 2 and 3 so short?
The shorter gap between Phase 2 and Phase 3 compared to Phase 1 and Phase 2 has been strategically designed to ensure that each phase of the new inspection age trigger implementation occurs in different quarters of the year. This planning is crucial to prevent the renewal inspections of one phase from coinciding with the commencement of another phase, which would otherwise increase the workload on vessel operators.
By staggering the inspection phases across different quarters, we can better manage the inspection volumes and reduce operational pressure on both vessel operators and our inspector network. This approach allows us to service booking requests more efficiently and ensures a smooth transition for all parties involved.
Furthermore, our data indicates that there will be almost half as many vessels requiring inspection in Phase 3 compared to Phase 1. This forecasted decrease in the number of vessels needing inspection supports the decision for a shorter gap between these two phases, allowing us to maintain a balanced and manageable inspection schedule throughout the rollout.
In summary, the design of the phased approach, with varied implementation windows across different quarters, not only mitigates operational challenges but also enhances our ability to deliver timely and effective inspection services.
How does the new implementation window across all phases impact vessel owners and managers (O&Ms)?
The revised timeline, with an extended four-phase rollout, provides O&Ms with a longer period to adapt to the new inspection requirements. Vessels will now have at least 12 months’ notice from the initial announcement before their Safety Score is affected. This approach allows O&Ms to adjust budgets, schedule crew training, and prepare vessels for inspections without disrupting operational efficiency.
RightShip has also introduced flexibility in scheduling the inspection by giving a three-month implementation window to stagger inspection volumes and reduce operational pressure as the industry transitions. The implementation window also ensures that a vessels Safety Score is not affected during this transition period. RightShip Vetting Rules will be updated at the start date of the window and signals the point at which a vessel will require a valid RightShip Inspection to pass a RightShip vetting nomination. The end date of the window signals the point at which the vessel will require a valid RightShip Inspection to maintain a Safety Score greater than or equal to 3/5.
Those vessels not needing to imminently pass a RightShip vetting nomination, such as those on long term charter, can plan for their inspection during the 3-month window. However, those expecting to be vetted or wishing to be prepared for all scenarios should plan for their inspection prior to the start of the implementation window.
How will the Safety Score be impacted by these changes?
Vessels that do not have a valid RightShip Inspection by the specified dates will see their Safety Scores downgraded to 2 out of 5 in accordance with the safety score hybrid rule (SS2-5). This rule ensures that vessels meeting the inspection requirements are recognised for their compliance and safety standards, while those failing to do so will face a decrease in their Safety Scores.
How will the 10-year docking work?
A few options are currently being considered. We will continue to explore our options throughout 2025 and update the market accordingly well ahead of the 1st January 2027 implementation date for Phase 4.
What support is available to O&Ms to ease this transition?
RightShip has introduced several measures to support O&Ms, including:
- Flexibility in Scheduling: A three-month window between the inspection requirement and Safety Score applicability to stagger inspection volumes and reduce operational pressure.
- Increased Inspector Capacity: RightShip is expanding its accredited inspector pool by 90% by October 2025 to meet demand while maintaining high inspection quality.
- Early Inspection Incentive: Vessels built after 1 October 2011 that complete inspections between January and June 2025 are eligible for a $1,000 inspection fee credit, encouraging early participation and spreading out inspection workloads.
- Additional resources: RightShip will continue to develop additional resources to support owners, managers and crew to prepare for inspections.
How is RightShip going to service the increase in the number of Inspections?
We currently inspect in 95 countries and 950 ports, as illustrated in the graphic below. The highest proportion of these inspections takes place in China, Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore, the United States, and Brazil. Throughout 2024, we have been hard at work growing our accredited inspector network by conducting monthly training and examinations with candidates. To date, we have added 50% additional capacity to our network, primarily focused on the key demand locations, and we expect to reach a 90% growth in our network by the time the first Phase 1 inspections start taking place.
How can vessel operators prepare for this change?
To minimise the impact, operators are encouraged to adopt a proactive and strategic approach to planning. Just as careful thought goes into maintenance schedules, crew changes, and parts provision, inspection planning should receive the same level of attention. Mature managers already follow this approach, and by booking early and integrating inspections into their operational planning, they ensure the process remains seamless. Book early, plan thoroughly, and treat inspection preparation as an integral part of operational excellence.
What are the improvements on RightShip Inspections and how is RightShip going to manage the impact on crew?
In 2025, we are dedicated to implementing a roadmap of improvements to RightShip inspections, aiming to reduce the duration of onboard inspections to an average of 8-10 hours. This initiative is part of our broader effort to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our inspection processes, minimising disruption to vessel operations while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
Additionally, we will invest in further enhancements to data submissions and the closeout of findings. These improvements will streamline the overall inspection process and experience, reducing the administrative burden on all stakeholders involved. By refining these elements, we strive to ensure that inspections are not only thorough and accurate but also as seamless and efficient as possible for operators and crews.
What is RightShip’s long-term thinking around inspections and Safety Score?
Throughout 2025, we will be exploring how RightShip Inspections can be integrated into the vessel Safety Score as a major component of the vessel level calculation. This approach aims to provide a fairer and more accurate assessment compared to the current reliance on inconsistent Port State Control (PSC) data, which often exhibits gaps in inspection histories for vessels spanning multiple years. By incorporating our comprehensive inspection data, we strive to enhance the reliability and transparency of the Safety Score, ensuring that it accurately reflects the true operational conditions and safety standards of each vessel.
Source: RightShip
