MSA China – Special actions to prevent ships electromechanical equipment failures

The China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA China) has issued a notice to launch a nationwide special campaign to prevent ship mechanical and electrical equipment failures.

 

Implementation time

The special operation commenced on April 7, 2024, and ended on October 31, 2024.

 

Actions from Foreign classification societies in China

• Foreign ship survey agencies in China should strengthen inspections and tests of newly built, rebuilt, mechanical and electrical equipment repairs and updates, improve inspection quality, and reduce the risk of ship mechanical and electrical equipment failure.

 

Any such equipment failures on board must be reported promptly to the local MSA and follow Chinese port authority safety requirements. Failure to comply could result in delays, detention in port and legal consequences.

 

Actions from shipowners and operators

 

Carry out self-inspection of ship electromechanical equipment.

• Chinese ships should strengthen the maintenance of ship electromechanical equipment.
• Shipping companies should refer to the “Special Self-Inspection Guidelines for Preventing Ship Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Failures” (attached) to formulate key inspection items for ship electromechanical equipment applicable to the ship.
• Ships should carry out pre-voyage self-inspections as required and promptly rectify the hidden problems discovered during self-examination.
• Ship agents should publicize and warn foreign ships planning to enter China and supervise foreign ships planning to arrive at the port to perform maintenance on mechanical and electrical equipment and investigate hidden dangers in advance.

 

Implications

• PMDSClass as responsible RO invite to the companies and Masters, to report to the Head Office in case have any pending, malfunctioning or missing items which require additional Verification; in case require a technical assistance from our side e.g. authorization letter from the Flag State please also inform.  The main objective is to reduce the likelihood of Detention by PSC.
• Consider continuing with the campaign of preparation for arrival ports using the “Pre-ports arrival checklist.”
• PMDS surveyors shall strengthen inspections and tests of newly built, rebuilt, mechanical and electrical equipment repairs and updates, improve inspection quality, and reduce the risk of ship mechanical and electrical equipment failure.