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Ships carrying HNS are regularly inspected to ensure
that they comply with international maritime safety
and environmental protection regulations. This
control may be conducted by the Flag State, i.e. the
country in which the ship is registered, or by the Port
State when the ship is in an foreign port.
In addition to these controls, vetting can generally
be organized by charterers*. This involves controls
on more operational aspects, such as cargo management
or accident prevention.
The Chemical Distribution Institute (CDI) is an independent
organization, gathering several chemical companies,
whose mission is to improve the safety of chemical shipping
worldwide.
This structure has created an inspection system specifically
designed for vessels carrying HNS.
Regular controls are conducted by CDI and inspection can
last up to 16 consecutive hours.
For more information on this organization, visit its website
at: www.cdi.org.uk
"Being a ship safety inspector
is a fascinating job because
vessels themselves are of
such great interest, so different from tankers to
container ships to passenger vessels, not forgetting
fishing vessels, dredgers*, cable ships… This
gives rise to so many different technologies and
vocations for onboard personnel and inspectors.
Inspectors control the vessel itself (SOLAS,
MARPOL conventions, etc.) but their inspection
can also cover operational procedures and labour
regulations. It is important to quickly get a
feel for the “atmosphere” onboard and establish
relations with all nationalities of seamen, taking
into account their culture.
It is therefore a field job with both technical
and legal aspects, which requires human
qualities to impose safety standards in shipping
activities which are subject to strong economic
constraints.”
Benoît Rouyer, Vessel Safety Centre for Seine-
Maritime West, Interregional Directorate of the
Eastern Channel – North Sea, France.