RightShip eases age trigger for vessel inspections

The dry bulk shipping community has voiced its approval of risk management platform RightShip’s decision to revise its timeline for implementing its vessel inspection age trigger, reducing the inspection threshold from 14 to 10 years through a four-phased approach.

The initial announcement of the inspection age trigger in October 2024 caused considerable concern among shipowners.

“While the decision to lower the inspection age from 14 to 10 years remains unchanged, we have carefully considered stakeholder feedback and adjusted the rollout timeline,” said Steen Lund, the CEO of RightShip.

The rollout has been expanded to a four-phase implementation. All vessels now have at least 12 months’ notice from the initial announcement before safety score impacts take effect. For Phase 4, inspections for vessels aged 10 years will now align with the second special survey dry dock, with a three-month buffer post-completion before inspection requirements take effect.

John Xylas, chairman-elect of INTERCARGO, dry bulk shipping’s top lobby group, commented: “This collaboration will strengthen our active engagement and ensure that INTERCARGO’s membership of dry bulk shipowners and operators, continue to contribute meaningfully in the development of pragmatic industry initiatives that genuinely promote safety and sustainability.”