RightShip has taken note of INTERCARGO's recent response regarding our announcement on the reduced age limit for Dry Bulk and General Cargo vessel inspections.
We are encouraged by the understanding across the industry that inspections at a lower age of a vessel are necessary to enhance safety. From our discussions, we see that the industry is moving in the right direction and acknowledge that the primary concern centers around the timing of the implementation rather than the need for the change itself.
As noted in our original press release, the decision is based on clear evidence of risks associated with ageing vessels and was informed by industry dialogue. RightShip would like to clarify that, contrary to INTERCARGO's suggestion, industry consultations were held globally before making the announcement, including with multiple INTERCARGO members and via workshops with more than 20 ship owners and managers.
While it is not feasible to consult every company in the sector, a broad range of stakeholders, including Charterers, Owners, and Managers were engaged. It remains RightShip’s standard practice to provide six months' notice for significant changes from the date of announcement, allowing industry participants to budget, plan and execute timely with minimal disruption.
We acknowledge the industry's need for time to adapt to evolving requirements, which guided our decision to implement a phased approach. The feedback we have received also reinforces the necessity for this change. RightShip strongly believes that vessels of all ages should be held to the same safety standards, and we encourage Owners and Managers to apply those standards across their entire fleet. Our RISQ tool, available for three years, offers valuable guidance in this area.
We are grateful that organisations like INTERCARGO share a common goal of enhancing safety standards across the industry. Together, INTERCARGO and RightShip formed the DryBMS, a framework that allows management companies to benchmark and improve their safety performance, and we aim to continue industry dialogue.
RightShip remains committed to ongoing engagement with the industry, and we will continue supporting Owners & Managers as they navigate this transition.