Technology Degree Program in China - Vessel Inspection

1. Introduction

Vessel Inspection is a general term of the inspection, audit, test and identification conducted on the technical condition of vessel and its equipment by the ship inspection agency; it is the ship registration to prove the technical condition of ships to ensure the safe operation of ships and avoid damage to the marine environment. Ship technical certificate is a document to prove the technical status of the ship. Only through the corresponding inspection, can the ship obtain the necessary technical certificate or maintain the technical certificate to continue to be effective.

2. Purposes

The purpose of the vessel inspection is to promote shipping companies to keep good technical conditions by the inspection on the ship and its equipment, to ensure the safe operation of ship and prevent the pollution and damage to the marine environment; ensure the governments of flag state and port state to implement effective management and control to the ship; to improve the competitiveness in the shipping market, lower the insurance premium for the owner of the ship at the same time; and to provide necessary technical basis for notarization, maritime claims, settlement of marine cases, etc.

3. Training Objectives

Vessel Inspection program trains advanced technology application-oriented specialized talents who master the basic theory and skills required by ship inspection, can be engaged in the inspection and technical management of hull, marine engine, ship electrical appliance and equipment.

4. Classification

Classification inspection, manufacturing inspection, special inspection, periodic inspection, annual inspection, temporary inspection, statutory inspection, notarial inspection and circular inspection, etc, the scope and contents of all kinds of inspection have specific provisions in the relevant regulations, rules and procedures of Ship inspection agencies.

1) Classification inspection

Conduct inspection and issue the classification certificate according to the ship inspection specification and technical standards of ship classification society; classification inspection is usually conducted by the ship owner by selecting the classification society.

2) Manufacturing inspection

In order to meet the requirements of ship specification and relevant regulations in all aspects, a series of work finished by the ship inspection institution for new ships, from the review of design drawings and technical documents, and inspection, test and trial voyage in the shipbuilding process, until issuing the ship certificate.

3) Special inspection

Special inspection is to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the technical state on the ship with certain classification after the expiration of the classification certificate. The purpose is to determine whether the ship's technical status can continue to maintain the requirements of the classification.

4) Periodic inspection

Vessel inspection agencies conduct inspection on the items related to navigation safety of the ships in operation in accordance with the specified time limit. The purpose is to check the technical condition of the ship and the loss degree of the main parts to determine whether the technical conditions are necessary to maintain the safe navigation.

5) Annual inspection

Annual inspection is the examination conducted once a year between the classification inspection and special inspection or between two special inspections to the ships in operation. The purpose is to find out whether the technical condition of the ship is in compliance with the conditions for safe navigation.

6) Temporary inspection

Temporary inspection refers to the inspection conducted by ship inspection agencies on the ship that the technical condition or usage change. When the ship has collision, engine damage, change the navigation area, change use, change the name and nationality of the ship or the owner of the ship and other reasons that affect the safe navigation of the ship, temporary inspection shall be applied. After temporary inspection, the vessel inspection agency shall issue the relevant certificates.

7) Statutory inspection

Statutory inspection is the inspection on vessels according to the international convention, national laws and legal regulations and issuing statutory certificates of the vessel; statutory inspection must be conducted by the government authority or the authorized organization or individual, mostly by government authorized ship classification societies.

8) Notarial inspection

The notarial inspection is a kind of examination conducted by the classification society to prove the objective technical condition of the items applied to inspect though assigning surveyor in response to the customer’s application. Notarial inspection includes average inspection, claim inspection, rental and check-out inspection, ship condition inspection, cargo damage inspection, etc.

9) Circular inspection

Circular inspection is another form adopted by the vessel inspection agency for the special inspection of the classification ship.

5. Major Classification Societies

Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (LR), Bureau Veritas (BV), Registro Italiano Navale (RINA), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), DET NORSKE VERITAS (DNV), Germanischer Lloyd (GL), Hellenic Register (HR), Russian Register of Shipping (RS), Polish Register of Shipping (PRS), Jugoslav Register of Shipping (JR), Bulgarian Ship Registry (BKR), China Classification Society (CCS), Korean Register (KR), Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), Croatia Bureau of Ship (CBS), etc