Shipowners and operators are being warned that port state control (PSC) detentions are becoming an increasingly predictable operational risk for global fleets, driven largely by deficiencies in safety systems, maintenance standards, and onboard procedures.
In a newly released white paper titled ‘In-port Detentions: The costs and implications for an ageing fleet – and how to avoid them,’ the manufacturer and supplier of liferafts, marine evacuation systems and offshore rental PPE, Survitec, reveals that many of the deficiencies identified are not simply compliance issues but relate directly to the operational readiness of fire safety and lifesaving systems, raising concerns about a vessel’s ability to respond effectively in an emergency.
As fleets continue to age and pressure mounts from tighter budgets, stretched maintenance windows, and reduced crew capacity, more vessels are entering inspections in a compromised state, particularly for safety-critical systems, significantly increasing the likelihood of detention.
According to Survitec, port state control detentions increasingly stem from deficiencies that are “visible,” “foreseeable” and “often preventable.”
“Detention is increasingly becoming part of the operating environment for many fleets, and even the shortest detention can quickly escalate into six-figure costs once off-hire exposure, berth costs, emergency repairs, schedule disruption, insurance impacts and reputational damage are factored in,” said Metkel Yohannes, chief portfolio officer at Survitec.
“The commercial reality is simple,” Yohannes added. “Proactive annual inspections and lifecycle planning significantly reduce the risk of costly compliance failures and operational disruption. Investing in prevention is materially cheaper than absorbing even one detention.”
The findings come at a time when global inspection volumes have remained broadly stable at around 75,000 per year, while detention outcomes have worsened significantly.
As shipowners increasingly extend vessel lifecycles amid geopolitical instability, shipyard constraints, uncertainty around future fuels, and ongoing trade disruption, all of which are contributing to an older global fleet operating under greater technical and regulatory pressure.
The white paper draws on a series of onboard inspection case studies from real-world safety assessments by Survitec technicians, highlighting a range of risks affecting critical firefighting and lifesaving equipment. These findings point to both hidden internal failures and visible system defects that could compromise performance in an emergency. Issues identified include the degradation of firefighting systems, the impact of poor maintenance practices, and the deterioration of portable safety equipment.
The paper also highlights concerns in lifeboat systems, where environmental exposure and inadequate maintenance can compromise the reliability of safety systems and equipment.
Jan-Oskar Lid, technical sales and support manager at Survitec, noted, “As the case studies show, these types of failures rarely occur in isolation or suddenly and highlight the critical role of rigorous, standards-based inspection regimes in identifying hidden risks before they escalate. The challenge for many operators lies in keeping pace with increasingly complex, fast-changing regulations that vary by vessel type, flag, class, and equipment, while still meeting the demands of day-to-day commercial operations.
“Against this backdrop, the critical question is not simply why incidents occur, but how vessel condition, maintenance discipline and emergency readiness influence the severity of an incident.
Yohannes added, “Operators must ensure safety-critical equipment works when it counts to reducing risk, avoiding costly failures, and ultimately protecting lives.”
