You may have experience that when your vessels call Port Headland, detailed Questionnaire is required and sometimes submitting more information is required.
We explain why and how Port Headland has strict vetting procedure.
<Reason of such strict vetting>
- The access to port Hedland is only via single narrow channel .
- Through this single entry and exit channel of Port Hedland per day iron ore movement is close to 1.5 million metric tons and the output per month about 40~50 million metric tons hence any failure of vessel movement will have a huge impact on their cargo movement, production plants etc .
- Hence for the shipowners and managers whose ships are scheduled to call Port Hedland , PPA wants their owners and Managers to concentrate on their vessel main engine, steering and auxiliary engine maintenance and see to that all the maneuvering machineries and steering gear are in good condition.
- PPA (Pilbara Ports Authority) will not allow any tolerance to even minor defects on this equipment as any impact of vessel movement at Port Hedland harbour due to above equipment issues will cause them a loss of several hundred million dollars per day which none of the stake holders want to absorb in supply chain.
<Vetting process>
- Considering the importance of above PPA (Pilbara Ports Authority) will use a number of information sources and criteria to assist with determining which vessel or vessel operator will be subject to a particular safety focus or restrictions . These will include: Vessel’s performance over the past 12 months including any significant incidents at Port Hedland, Incident investigation outcomes and quality of investigations submitted by ship operators and Level of engagement and commitment of shore technical management towards continuous improvement.
- Further focus will on PMS and this will be checked during PPA (Pilbara Ports Authority) inspection specially ships compliance with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommended maintenance schedule relating to main engine, auxiliary engines and steering systems, compliance with conditions relating to extended maintenance intervals where allowed by the OEM and Identification of critical onboard equipment and spares by the ship operator and compliance with those requirements.
- In addition to above PPA has adopted the RIGHTSHIP Safety score vetting system as one of the tools to ensure vessel suitability for Port visits. PPA will request additional information prior to vessel acceptance should a vessel present a rating of three stars or less. PPA reserves the right to ask for additional information regardless of the Rightship safety score rating.
- It has been advised that all vessel’s masters must declare any defects well in advance prior to arrival and ensure all critical navigation equipment and machinery (propulsion/steering/generators) are in good working order. Vessels that experience equipment failure and have a detrimental impact on Port operations will be subject to additional Port fees in the event of significant Port emergencies.
*Note : PPA (Pilbara Port Authority) is Port Authority for several western Australian ports including Port Hedland and Dampier.
Please refer the following website for information of PPA and Port Hedland.
https://www.pilbaraports.com.au/ports/port-of-port-hedland
https://www.pilbaraports.com.au/
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