A new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Stability in General has been announced jointly by several MoUs (Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, Black Sea MoU, Indian MoU, Mediterranean, Riyadh and Vina del Mar MoUs), commencing from 1 September 2021 and ending 30 November 2021.
Aim of CIC
The aim and scope of this CIC is to ensure that stability systems onboard are installed, available and approved. In addition, that stability calculations for each voyage are carried out and documented adequately. As such, Master and responsible officers will be checked for familiarization and their knowledge of the loading systems provided on board, the use of stability software and documentation.
Previous Similar Campaign
During 2010, Paris MoU conducted a similar CIC on stability with main focus on IMO stability requirements for tankers. Following same practice, it can be assumed that the key items to be checked would be:
- Stability documentation (Stability Booklet/Loading manuals etc)
- Loading calculations (Loading computer and software/ Loading documents)
- Responsible officers’ familiarization with the above
- Ship Organization to respond to emergencies which require stability calculations (grounding/flooding/cargo list etc)
PSC Deficiency Codes applicable for CIC
The CIC will be included in the routine PSC inspections and responsible PSCO will be provided with the relevant CIC questionnaire, which is not published yet. The identified deficiencies will be reported to the official PSC report for each ship.
The PSC codes applicable for stability and loading issues are the following:
| PSC Category | Code | Deficiency |
| Certificate & Documentation | 01313 | Booklet for bulk cargo loading/unloading/stowage |
| Certificate & Documentation | 01316 | Cargo information |
| Certificate & Documentation | 01317 | Cargo record book |
| Certificate & Documentation | 01326 | Stability Information Booklet |
| Structural Conditions | 02102 | Damage control plan |
| Structural Conditions | 02103 | Stability/strength/loading information and instruments |
| Structural Conditions | 02134 | Loading/Ballast condition |
| Water/Weathertight Conditions | 03101 | Overloading |
| Cargo operations including equipment | 06109 | Loading instrument |
| ISM Code | 15107 | Emergency preparedness |
| ISM Code | 15150 | ISM |
Questionnaire
A set of 10 questions has been issued in order to cover the requirements of the CiC. Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will use a pre-defined questionnaire to assess that information and equipment provided onboard complies with the relevant conventions, that the master and officers are familiar with operations relating to stability (in general) and that equipment is properly maintained and functioning. CiC Questionnaire as per Annex A.
Actions required
Ship managers should be prepared to address all items above as appropriate. Stability is related to many serious incidents due to incorrect ship loading conditions or missing intact stability documentation on board. Responsible officers should be trained to provide information on the stability calculations for current or upcoming voyage and be able to demonstrate the response.
How we may help
SQEMARINE provides a full best practice guidance in order an operator to address the CIC questionnaire checklist, as per Annex B.
Additionally, SQEMARINE can provide guidance based on data from RiSK4SEA platform, in particular on findings by Paris and Tokyo MoU on possible deficiencies related to CIC, as per below table.
| Code | Deficiency |
RiSK4SEA (Last 5 Years 2016-2020) |
|||
| Paris MoU | Tokyo MoU |
||||
| # | Rank | # |
Rank | ||
| 01313 | Booklet for bulk cargo loading/unloading/stowage | 38 | 346 | 17 | 397 |
| 01316 | Cargo information | 163 | 208 | 1,054 | 40 |
| 01317 | Cargo record book | 39 | 341 | 36 | 331 |
| 01326 | Stability Information Booklet | 93 | 259 | 227 | 145 |
| 02102 | Damage control plan | 89 | 264 | 390 | 95 |
| 02103 | Stability/strength/loading information & instruments | 164 | 206 | 11 | 449 |
| 02134 | Loading/Ballast condition | 7 | 483 | 20 | 395 |
| 03101 | Overloading | 49 | 319 | 15 | 418 |
| 06109 | Loading instrument | 3 | 580 | 5 | 513 |
| 15107 | Emergency preparedness | 2 | 583 | 70 | 259 |
| 15150 | ISM | 6,312 | 1 | 172 | 221 |
Annex A
| No. | Description | Yes | No | N/A |
| 1. | Has the ship been provided with approved stability information which can be understood and easily used by the Master and loading officer? | |||
| 2. | Is the data used in the stability check for departure complete and correct? | |||
| 3. | Does the ship comply with the stability criteria as applicable to the ship type? | |||
| 4. | Is there evidence to show that the Master or responsible officer can determine the stability of the ship under varying conditions of service using the approved stability information provided on board? | |||
| 5. | If the ship is provided with a Stability Instrument, is it approved by the Administration? | |||
| 6. | If the ship is provided with a Stability Instrument, does the type of stability software in use meet the requirements for the relevant ship type? | |||
| Information only | ||||
| 7. | [Is there evidence on board to show that the master/loading officer confirms that the “calculated” displacement and trim corresponds with the “observed” draughts?] | |||
| 8. | [If the ship is provided with a Stability Instrument, has the accuracy of the stability instrument been verified periodically by applying at least one approved test condition?] | |||
Annex B
1. Has the ship been provided with approved stability information which can be understood and easily used by the Master and loading officer?
Ship should be provided by loading manual and stability calculation tables in order to calculate forces on deck during loading/discharging/ballasting. Master and Loading (or Cargo) Officer should be familiar to use such tables and conduct relevant calculations.
2. Is the data used in the stability check for departure complete and correct?
Calculations should be readily available and checked before loading/discharging. Some Companies require to review the calculations and loading/unloading plan in office premises by competent personnel and then provide approval for the execution.
3. Does the ship comply with the stability criteria as applicable to the ship type?
Stability calculation to be conducted as per approved loading manual. Load lines restrictions to be followed as per relevant certificate and side markings.
4. Is there evidence to show that the Master or responsible officer can determine the stability of the ship under varying conditions of service using the approved stability information provided on board?
Master and Loading (or Cargo) officer should be able to determine the stability of the ship under specific conditions which should be determined in Emergency Response Plan. Example calculations should be available from Company in order to provide guidance to crew on board prior emergency situations.
5. If the ship is provided with a Stability Instrument, is it approved by the Administration?
If the ship is provided with a Stability Instrument, this should be tested, approved by Flag Administration. Familiarization procedure for the use of instrument should be in place and Master or Loading officer should be able to demonstrate competence on using the instrument.
6. If the ship is provided with a Stability Instrument, does the type of stability software in use meet the requirements for the relevant ship type?
Approved stability instrument on board to be ship type specific. Relevant tests to be made and sample calculations to be conducted for verification.
7. Is there evidence on board to show that the master/loading officer confirms that the “calculated” displacement and trim corresponds with the “observed” draughts?
When using the instrument Master/loading officer should be able to confirm the results of “calculated” displacement and trim correspond with the “observed” draughts. Loading officer should he familiar to mark the draughts/trim and calculate the displacement as per relevant loading manual’s tables.
8. If the ship is provided with a Stability Instrument, has the accuracy of the stability instrument been verified periodically by applying at least one approved test condition?
SMS should include procedure for Stability’s instrument verification. An already approved and calculated loading condition is to be used in order to verify the results of exported by Stability Instrument. The test should be conducted periodically (best practice annually).
