Inspection News

Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has launched a Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) under its SIRE 2.0 tanker inspection program aimed at reinforcing maritime security readiness across the global tanker fleet.The initiative comes in response to increasing geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts, and evolving security regulations that directly impact crew welfare, safety, and operational continuity. The campaign, commenced on October 1, 2025, will run for a minimum of six months…

A recent oil spill on the Delaware River starkly underscored the critical need for effective communication when completing the required Declaration of Inspection (DOI) prior to an oil transfer in accordance with Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), §156.120 (33 CFR156.120). Prior to the incident, the facility person in charge (PIC) filled out their section of the DOI and sent the checklist in a bucket hoist to the barge PIC who subsequently completed their portion. Notably, the two PICs never met in person nor exchanged any words throughout the DOI preparation process.

Coast Guard Sector New York personnel conducted three warehouse spot checks at the Port of New York and New Jersey this week, uncovering a 60% deficiency rate in hazardous material compliance. The targeted inspections, driven by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) container screening data, are part of an expanded effort to detect undeclared hazardous cargo before it can pose a threat to port safety or vessel crews. The recent inspections highlight the Coast Guard’s growing collaboration with CBP, which has improved over the past year.

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has this week published the full set of questions that may be asked during a SIRE 2.0 tanker inspection, when its new Ship Inspection Report Program (SIRE) inspection regime is implemented during Q2 2022. The organization's long-established SIRE inspection regime is being overhauled with the introduction of tablet-based inspections, a more comprehensive inspection process and enhanced policies and procedures bringing significant…

Classification Society ClassNK has released its “Guidelines for Non-destructive Inspection by Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing”.Phased array ultrasonic testing is an advanced non-destructive inspection technology that enables the visualizing of flaw detection results and the digitizing of the record-keeping process. It has higher detection performance for defects in materials and welded joints compared to conventional ultrasonic testing.In recent years, the application of phased array ultrasonic testing in various industrial fields has been increasing…

Shipowner d’Amico will trial remote inspection ship technology as the marine industry adjusts to the constraints placed on people’s movements imposed by national governments to limit the spread of COVID-19.Italian classification society RINA said its remote technology has been approved the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) for the inspections of Liberian flagged vessels, and it anticipates that the decision of LISCR could shortly be followed by other Flag Administrations.Alfonso Castillero…

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) reports it has completed its first ever survey by drone, carried out in the holds of a bulk carrier in an Italian port.The scope was an intermediate survey on a bulk carrier and consisted of close-up inspections and ultrasonic thickness measurements (UTM) conducted by the drone in two cargo hold spaces. The required prior agreement from the flag authority was confirmed – all the more necessary as the ship is subject to the IMO Code for the Enhanced Survey Program (ESP).Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) were reflected in BV’s rules in 2019.

Classification society RINA signed an agreement with VRMedia, an augmented and virtual reality company, to boost the development of remote inspection technologies to carry out ship inspections using VRMedia’s Kiber system.Kiber is a wearable hardware and software fully integrated system for remote assistance, that allows the consultation and sharing of real time information between several participants through augmented reality tech.With the Kiber Helmet, a headset equipped with a video camera…

The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing published changes to five Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs) concerning qualification for certain Merchant Mariner Credential Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW) endorsements.NVICs 04-14, 08-14, and 09-14 were revised to provide guidance on renewal of STCW endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft, Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited, Basic Training, and…

“Consistent Compliance” : The Paris MoU has published its 2018 Annual Report on July 1, 2019, which can be found on the website. This report contains the details of the activities of the Paris MoU during 2018. In 2018 there were 24 Refusal of Access Orders (referred to as “bannings”) issued. This shows a decrease from 32 in 2017. Refusal of access (banning) has been used 77 times since 2016.The detention percentage decreased to 3.15% (from 3.87%) and the number of detainable deficiencies also decreased to 3,171 (from 3,883 in 2017).

RIMS BV has been a leader in the push for maritime inspection via drone, and the company recently announced it has received another two certifications from DNV GL and the Indian Class Register for the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (drones) during surveys of enclosed spaces.RIMS BV now with certification from nine classification societies, and the company aims to prove that drone technology with skilled pilots helps to reduce the safety risks and offer a much more cost-efficient solution for inspections of assets.

C-Innovation, LLC (C-I), an affiliate of Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) and its family of companies, said it has opened a new dock facility in Port Fourchon, La., to expand the capabilities of its Subsea Services group.The new facility is located at the end of AJ Estay Road and was previously known as the Martin South Terminal.With more than 550 ft of open quayside, Bayou Lafourche is a main entrance into the facility, which is supplied with a Manitowoc 777 crane and forklifts for rapid mobilizations of C-I’s subsea construction and inspection…