Three major Greek shipowners saw vessels detained in UK ports last month after failing port state control (PSC) inspections, the latest data shows.
Thenamaris saw its 62,700-dwt Seabee (built 2015) detained at the Port of Immingham on 5 August 2023, according to the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
PSC inspectors uncovered 15 deficiencies during the inspection of the ultramax at the UK’s largest port by tonnage. One of those deficiencies, which was related to the International Safety Management Code, was sufficient to have the ship detained.
The Maltese-flagged vessel was later released from detention some three days later.
The Port of Immingham was also the scene of the detention of the 79,500-dwt bulker New Excellence (built 2014), which is owned by Adam Polemis-led New Shipping.
The Liberia-flagged ship was also found to have 15 PSC deficiencies, three of which were said to be sufficient to have it detained.
Inspectors said they found there was a “lack of training” when evaluating the crew in the performance of fire drills, the embarkation arrangement for survival craft was not “properly maintained” and finally the ship’s ISM was found to be “not as required”.
The vessel was eventually released on 26 August 2023.
Stamatis Molaris-owned Empire Bulkers was the third Greek owner to have a ship detained in a UK port for PSC deficiencies last month.
Deficiencies
The 34,400-dwt Aphrodite M (built 2011) was also detained at the Port of Immingham on 24 August 2023, according to the MCA.
The Marshall Islands-flagged ship was found to have 18 deficiencies, three of which were serious enough to warrant the ship’s detention.
Inspectors found that remote means of control in machinery spaces were “not as required”, a line throwing appliance was found to be “inoperative”, and the ship was also found to have ISM deficiencies.
However, the ship was swiftly brought up to standard and was released by authorities on 27 August 2023, according to the MCA.
Other ships detained in the UK last month included the 79,400-dwt bulker Ulusoy 11 (built 2011) and 20,000-dwt chemical tanker Sea Majestic (built 2008).
The Ulusoy Denizyollari-owned panamax bulker was also stopped in the Port of Immingham after 17 deficiencies were uncovered, including two that resulted in the ship being held.
Meanwhile, the Petrochem General Management-owned Sea Majestic was detained at the North Sea port of Hull with 23 deficiencies, three of which caused it to be detained.
The MCA publishes details of the foreign-flagged vessels detained in UK ports under the Paris MOU regime each month in response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson’s inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping.
