CIC on Bahamas-Flagged Bulk Carriers

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has issued Technical Alert 24-08 regarding a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Bulk Carriers.

It aims to address a concerning trend: a notable increase in Port State Control (PSC) detentions of bulk carriers registered under the Bahamian flag. This trend has seen the proportion of detentions for bulk carriers rise significantly, from 31% in 2022 to 54% in 2023, and further to nearly 58% in 2024.

In response to these statistics, the BMA has announced a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) specifically targeting bulk carriers. This CIC is scheduled to take place from August 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, during all flag state inspections conducted within this period.

Key directives of Technical Alert 24-08 include:

Purpose and Scope: The alert informs stakeholders about the upcoming CIC and its focus on enhancing safety and compliance standards for Bahamas-flagged bulk carriers.

Preparation Responsibilities:

Companies: Operators of Bahamian-flagged ships are instructed to disseminate the Technical Alert to all vessels under their management. This includes ensuring that ships are prepared to undergo inspections and adhere to the requirements outlined in checklist FORM069.
Masters: Captains of Bahamian-flagged ships are required to familiarize themselves and their crew with the CIC checklist (FORM069). They must be prepared to answer related questions during flag state inspections, even if no inspection is scheduled during the CIC period.

Inspection Procedure:

CIC Checklist (FORM069): This checklist, detailed in Annex 1 of the alert, covers critical inspection points. These include ensuring compliance with loading program accuracy, cargo handling procedures, maintenance of hatch covers and safety equipment, and adherence to specific regulations such as SOLAS and IMSBC (International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes) Code requirements.
Reporting: Flag Approved Nautical Inspectors (ANI) are mandated to complete FORM069 during every flag state inspection occurring from August to December 2024. The results of these inspections are to be reported through the BORIS inspection reporting system, highlighting any deficiencies or non-compliance issues identified.

Campaign Duration and Validity:

The CIC will be enforced throughout all flag state inspections conducted between August 1 and December 31, 2024.
The Technical Alert itself remains valid until December 31, 2024, after which its directives may be reviewed or updated based on the outcomes of the CIC and subsequent evaluations.

Objectives:

Enhance the safety and operational standards of Bahamian-flagged bulk carriers.
Mitigate the increasing trend of PSC detentions by addressing common deficiencies and ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):