As per the advisory from Gabonese correspondents on the PSC inspection, in the event of a detention due to vessel deficiencies, the owner will be subject to not only great loss for the delay, but also costs related to the inspection, not to mention the extra expenses for applying a re-verification to get the vessel released. It is, therefore from the perspective of loss prevention, prudent for Members proceeding to Gabonese ports to exercise a stringent check prior to the arrival.

1.      Abuja MOU

The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region, generally referred to as Abuja MoU, was established on 22^nd October 1999 at a joint conference at Abuja, Nigeria as an inter-governmental organization comprising 16 countries abutting the Atlantic coast of Africa. Abuja MOU’s mission is to develop a system of harmonized PSC inspection procedure for the region aimed at the reduction and eventual elimination of substandard shipping, prevention of marine pollution and improvement of the living and working conditions of seafarers aboard ships.

Gabon became a member of Abuja MOU on 25^th September 2009. Complaints on the Gabonese authority were directed to the Committee twice in 2017 for it has imposed fines on defective ships in PSC inspections in accordance with its domestic laws but against Abuja MOU provisions. Therefore, Gabon has stopped to do so since July 2017 and instead demand the inspection fees reimbursed by shipowner, operators or their representatives in the event of detentions.

2.      Gabon PSC inspection fees

In November 2019, a note was issued by the Gabonese maritime authority to remind all shipowners, operators, consignees and other ships’ agents that in accordance with Section 3.11 of the 1999 Abuja MOU, all costs relating to the inspections carried out by the competent authority shall be charged to the shipowner or the operator of the ship or his representative in the port state, in the context of the detention.

As such, and subject to the rights to challenge a detention pursuant to section 3.12 and 3.13 of the MOU, a lump sum of US$ 3,000 is set for exceptional inspection fees for the purpose of lifting the detention.

3.      Pre-inspection checklist

A support document was designed by the Gabonese PSCOs (see attached) to guide ships on the check prior to the PSC inspection with a list of detainable deficiencies. Shipowners are reminded to check on the items including but not limited to:

1)      ship’s certificates and statutory documents

2)      seafarers’ certificate of competence

3)      life-saving appliances

4)      fire safety measures

5)      stability, structure and related equipment

6)      alarm signals

7)      load lines

8)      propulsion and auxiliary machinery

9)      radiocommunications

10)  MARPOL Annex I and Annex VI

11)  safety of navigation

12)  SOLAS related operational deficiencies (crew not familiar with ship drills)

13)  ISM related deficiencies

14)  ISPS related deficiencies

Other deficiencies frequently found by the Gabonese inspector during PSC inspections include:

1)      inspection certificates or reports for equipment or initial survey report not available;

2)      seafarers’ certificate of medical care expired;

3)      sanitary facilities not properly maintained;

4)      lifeboat is dirty; launching appliance and associated accessories are defective; lifeboat embarkation light wasted; liferaft ladder is defective and SOLAS training manual is not maintained as required;

5)      SCBA for fireman’s outfit is found with low air pressure;

6)      fuel oil settling tanks and service tanks are found with excessive oil residue on walls;

7)      fire visual alarm indicator in engine room is inoperative;

8)      mooring ropes on forecastle deck and poop deck are found in poor condition;

9)      GMDSS radio installation is not tested as required;

10)  list of national operation contact points of SOPEP is not updated as per MARPOL Annex I;

11)  classification certificate and other official documents should be valid and in original form, no paper copies will be accepted in PSC inspections;

12)  the IMSBC code not properly practiced on ships.

4.      Advice to Members

Apart from referring to the non-exhaustive list of deficiencies, a complete check should be carried out on ships clearing in Gabonese ports. It is advisable for Members to contact local correspondents upon arriving at Gabon and other West African ports for detailed information about local PSC inspections and check each item carefully to facilitate the inspection. Additionally, the Club has found that costs arising from the cases in West African ports have been enormous. Keeping up a scrupulous safety check and good maintenance is then of utmost importance for Members trading in West Africa.

For further information, please contact your manager at the Club.