BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION DECEMBER 2025 SHIP MAINTENANCE IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING THE SAFETY, OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND LONGEVITY OF A VESSEL. Neglecting maintenance can lead to severe consequences such as accidents, detentions, and costly repairs. Nearly three quarters of all marine incident reports received by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) between 2019 and 2021 involved deficiencies or failures with on board equipment, systems, or structure. IMPORTANCE OF SHIP MAINTENANCE: ENHANCING SAFETY, EFFICIENCY AND COMPLIANCE 2 | BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION | GUIDANCE WHY A SHIP MUST BE MAINTAINED? SAFETY: Regular maintenance ensures that all components of a ship are intact and functional, minimising the risk of accidents caused by loose parts or mechanical failures. COMPLIANCE: Ships must adhere to international and local regulations such as the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and ISM (International Safety Management) Code. Maintenance ensures that ships comply with these standards and avoid detentions or penalties. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS: Shipowners must ensure their vessels are seaworthy. Failure to maintain the ship can lead to legal ramifications. If a ship fails to meet seaworthiness standards, there may be claims against the ship from cargo interests or charterers. OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY: Maintenance ensures that all systems are functioning optimally, reducing the chances of equipment failure and minimising operational disruptions. FUEL CONSUMPTION: Regular maintenance helps identify inefficiencies, such as engine performance issues, which can affect fuel consumption. Rectifying these inefficiencies can lead to significant fuel savings. OPERATIONAL COSTS: Preventive maintenance reduces the likelihood of major equipment failures, which can lead to expensive repairs and operational delays. EQUIPMENT QUALITY: Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of ship equipment, reducing the need for premature replacements and enhancing long-term cost efficiency. SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA CONVENTION (SOLAS) The SOLAS Convention (Chapter I, Regulation 11) mandates that a ship and its equipment must be maintained in accordance with regulations to ensure the vessel remains seaworthy. INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT (ISM) CODE Clause 10.1 of the ISM Code stipulates that vessel and equipment maintenance is mandatory. Clause 10.2 further requires companies or operators to report non-conformities and take corrective action. Nonconformities include technical deficiencies, which refer to defects or failures in the vessel’s structure, machinery, equipment, or fittings. Operators must address deficiencies promptly and tackle the underlying issues within the maintenance management system that caused the problem. Poorly designed procedures such as those that are unclear, outdated, inaccessible, or not suited to the task, can lead to deviations and non-compliance. It is essential to align procedures with actual tasks and involve seafarers in their development whenever possible. 3 | BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION | GUIDANCE WHAT IS A PLANNED MAINTENANCE SYSTEM (PMS)? “A planned maintenance system allows shipowners and operators to plan, perform and document vessel maintenance at intervals complying with Class and manufacturer requirements. The objective is to ensure safe and reliable vessel operations, including equipment, in addition to compliance with all applicable regulations.” (DNV, 2025) There are different ways of achieving this, depending on the size and