Taiwan-flagged ships rank fifth in region for port inspections<\/p>\n
Ships registered under the Republic of China flag ranked a record fifth among 66 flag states inspected in the Asia-Pacific region last year, with zero detentions recorded for the second consecutive year, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications\u2019 Maritime and Port Bureau said yesterday.<\/p>\n
The ranking was published in an annual report released on May 1 by regional port state control organization Tokyo MOU, which placed Taiwan on its High Performance List, behind only China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.<\/p>\n
The rankings were based on the number of port state inspections conducted and the detention rate of ships registered under each flag, the bureau said.<\/p>\n
Under Tokyo MOU standards, a ship can be detained if the condition of a vessel or its crew does not substantially comply with applicable international conventions.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Taiwan-based CR Classification Society, which provides classification and certification services, was ranked ninth among 106 recognized organizations worldwide, the bureau said.<\/p>\n
The Tokyo MOU, which came into effect in 1994, aims to create an effective port state control system in the Asia-Pacific region to eliminate substandard shipping, improve maritime safety, protect the marine environment, and safeguard working and living conditions aboard ships, its Web site says.<\/p>\n
Port state control serves as a complement to flag state oversight if shipowners, classification societies or flag administrations fail to comply with international maritime regulations, it says.<\/p>\n
Port authorities can inspect foreign vessels visiting their ports and require deficiencies to be corrected before ships are allowed to depart, it adds.<\/p>\n
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