BIMCO Releases US Port State Control Guide for Mariners

Published Oct 26, 2006 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

12 October 2006 - In an effort to enhance compliance with MARPOL and SOLAS requirements and thereby reduce the frequency of related violations at US ports, BIMCO has today made its Guide to prepare for Port State Control Inspections in the United States globally available on its website (www.bimco.org).

When presented with the BIMCO guide, Rear Admiral Craig E. Bone, Assistant Commandant for U.S. Coast Guard Prevention Operations said, “Use of this guide will raise awareness amongst seafarers regarding compliance with Port State Control measures implemented on board ships.”

The guide represents the first achievement resulting from the new USCG/BIMCO cooperation agreement signed on 7 September 2006 at USCG Headquarters by Rear Admiral Bone and BIMCO President Knud Pontoppidan.

Two versions of the guide will be available for download, one a high-resolution PDF file for quality printing purposes and the second a low-resolution PDF version that will facilitate quick transmission via e-mail to ships.

Link to download high-resolution version: http://www.bimco.dk/upload/us_psci_folder_high.pdf

Link to download low-resolution version: http://www.bimco.dk/upload/us_psci_folder_high.pdf

Ship operators will be able to use the high-resolution version to arrange for printing of the guide in customised versions using space allocated to display company details and logos.

Copies of the BIMCO guide will be distributed with BIMCO Bulletin number 5 in end-October. The guide will also be reproduced in the BIMCO Bulletin with explanatory notes.

BIMCO, established in Denmark in 1905, is the world's largest international shipping association, with approximately 2,400 members in 123 countries. The owner-members of BIMCO control a fleet of about 525 million DWT thereby representing 65% of the world's merchant fleet. BIMCO is accredited as an official observer at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Among its many activities, BIMCO provides practical information and assistance to the maritime community.