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Asbestos Survey For IMO Compliance

Asbestos has been classified by the World Health Organization as a Group 1 category  carcinogenic agent i.e. evidence shows there is a significant cancer risk to humans when exposed to the agent.

Most maritime countries have banned both the importing and exporting of asbestos, including ships and/or ships parts with asbestos or asbestos containing material(s).

To ensure the total ban of asbestos within maritime industry, the IMO revised the relevant SOLAS convention  in 2009. As from January 1st, 2011, SOLAS now requires  an asbestos-free condition for newly installed materials and  products onboard ships or offshore facilities.

Despite the new SOLAS requirements  asbestos is still found on new ships. CTI regularly performs pre-delivery surveys on new builds and finds asbestos within their  construction. This is not confined to Asian yards and we would highlight this has also been the case in European yards.

The issue  of continuing to find asbestos on recently constructed vessels has prompted SOLAS to state that all ships built after June 2002 now require an official  asbestos-free compliance statement.  This certification can only be achieved by having an asbestos survey performed by marine specialists with technical knowledge of ship construction.

Port State inspections are on the increase and the discovery of ACM's (asbestos containing materials) deemed to be a violation to the Flag State  in turn, require the ACM to be removed  within 3 years on issue of a non-extendable exemption certificate.

This violation could easily compromise a charter agreement with the significant financial exposure of damages and lost revenue.

Some Flag States, including the UK, Netherlands and Australia, require an independent inspection and assessment of asbestos for the importation/arrival of vessels. The ship owner must provide an asbestos inspection report and certificate issued by the accredited inspection body.

Background

CTI Company Qualification

The first and only UKAS accredited inspection body in the world to perform asbestos surveys on ships

The first foreign marine asbestos survey body recognized by Australian Maritime Safety Administration (AMSA)

The first foreign marine asbestos survey body recognized by Netherlands Ship Inspectorate (NSI)

The first IHM investigation body approved by LR, DNVGL in Asia-pacific area

Schedule

For further enquiry, you are welcome to contact us.