Meeting with CEOs of the lines with vessels calling at U.S. Ports

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs held a meeting with CEOs of shipping companies and ship management companies with ships calling at U.S. ports April 15 in Busan and asked them to put all efforts on safety management of ships and prevent Korean ships from being detained at U.S. ports.

Last year, three Korean vessels were detained at U.S. ports after the PSC inspection and one vessel was detained in the first quarter of this year so thorough safety management of ships entering U.S. ports is essential. Korea has already had one detention in the U.S. so it is very important to thoroughly manage ships calling at U.S. ports because, if not, Korea will be added to the Annual Targeted Flag List and Korean ships entering U.S. ports will face thorough and tightened U.S. PSC inspections.

During the meeting, the Ministry explained to participants about the "2009 Plan for the Implementation of Flag State Control" and "Policy in response to the strengthened U.S. PSC", ask for full implementation of the plan and policy and listen to their difficulties, in order to avoid Korean national ships being detained.

"Policy in response to the strengthened U.S. PSC" mainly contains systematic responsive measures to prevent Korean national ships from be under detention.