Intercargo urges RightShip to delay bulker vetting age limit reduction

RightShip, which vets bulk carriers for major charterers, announced last week it was reducing the age limit for annual inspection of vessels from 14 years to 10 years.

The lower age limit for annual acceptable inspections of dry bulk and general cargo vessels will be phased in, dropping the threshold from the current 14 years to 10 years. The threshold will drop from 14 to 12 years on 31 March 2025, and from 12 to 10 years in 2026.

In statement following a meeting of Intercargo’s Executive Committee on 15 October it said: “This decision was made without prior consultation with the owners and managers of bulk carriers, the very stakeholders who will be impacted by such changes.” It said that significant operational decisions such as reducing the age limit for vetting should involve input from all relevant stakeholders.

RightShip said last week the decision came after a year of market consultation and was driven by risks with ageing vessels as average dry bulk vessel ages are set to rise.

Intercargo noted the significant operational challenges that would be faced by seafarers, who already face an increasing workload, with the lower vetting age.

“In light of these issues, we strongly urge RightShip to reconsider the timeline for implementing this decision, particularly as the current vetting inspection regime was only introduced two years ago. A delay in applying the new age limit would allow ship operators and seafarers sufficient time to adjust to the evolving requirements, while upholding the high standards of safety and efficiency that are essential to our industry,” Intercargo said.

RightShip’s age thresholds for dry bulkers were last updated in 2017, when the trigger was lowered from 18 years to 14 years for vessels over 8,000 dwt. 

Intercargo represents over 250 dry bulk shipping companies from 30 countries.