Identification of Risk Patterns by Type of Ship Through Correspondence Analysis of Port State Control: A Differentiated Approach to Inspection to Enhance Maritime Safety and Pollution Prevention

Abstract

This study analyzes the results of Port State Control (PSC) inspections carriedout under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding between 2018 and 2022. Through acorrespondence analysis, the most frequent deficiencies were identified according to thetype of ship being inspected. The study sample included 186,255 inspections obtainedfrom the THETIS platform. The results revealed significant heterogeneity in deficiencyprofiles across ship types, highlighting specific patterns associated with each category.Container ships, oil tankers and bulk carriers, for instance, exhibited distinctive deficiencyprofiles. The study emphasizes the necessity for a tailored approach to PSC inspections,with the objective of optimizing resources through the utilization of risk zone indicatorsfor the inspector. The identification of specific risk indicators would not only facilitatethe work of inspectors but also enable the earlier detection of potential problems andmore effective intervention. The study provides a solid foundation for future researchand decision-making on PSC inspections, with the aim of enhancing maritime safety andpollution prevention