Inspection validity following vessel management changes
The requirement to manage organisational changes effectively is firmly rooted in the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
This article provides guidance and explanation relating to RightShip Inspection validity when a vessel undergoes a change in Document of Compliance (DOC) company.
Why inspection validity may be adjusted
A RightShip Inspection reflects the condition of a vessel and the effectiveness of its management systems at a specific point in time.
When a vessel changes DOC holding company, the responsibility for the vessel’s safety management system transfers to a new organisation. This can introduce changes in:
- Safety management practices and procedures
- Operational standards and oversight
- Crew management and maintenance approaches
As a result, an existing inspection may no longer fully represent the vessel under its new management.
To ensure inspections remain a reliable and current indicator of vessel condition and management effectiveness, RightShip may adjust inspection validity following a DOC change. This provides a controlled period for reassessment under the new DOC holding company.
Scenario 1 – Vessel changes DOC Company to new company
Where a vessel changes DOC company to a new company, the following apply at the point of DOC change:
- If the vessel has more than 3 months of inspection validity remaining:
- The inspection validity date will be adjusted to 3 months from the date of the DOC change
- If the vessel has 3 months or less validity remaining:
- The existing inspection validity date remains unchanged
This ensures a consistent maximum validity period of 3 months following a change in DOC company.
Scenario 2 – Vessel changes DOC Company but within the same parent company (Internal DOC Change)
Where a vessel changes DOC company to another DOC company within the same parent company (with no crew change, no changes to SMS/PMS and shore management arrangements remain consistent)
- The existing RightShip Inspection validity remains unchanged
- No adjustment is made to the inspection expiry date
No further action is required unless separate risk concerns are identified.
Exceptions
Exceptions to the above may apply where there are specific, evidence-based concerns, including:
- Known performance concerns relating to the vessel or the new DOC company
- Recent incidents, PSC Inspection outcomes, or inspection findings that require closer oversight
- Other material risk indicators identified through standard RightShip processes
In such cases:
- A shorter validity period, or immediate inspection requirement, may be applied.
Customer Communication
Where:
- A DOC company change is recorded in the RightShip Platform; and
- The vessel had more than 3 months inspection validity remaining at the point of change
The new DOC holding company will receive an automated email confirming that the DOC change has been recorded and that the inspection validity may be adjusted to 3 months from the date of change.
Additional Notes
- An updated 3-month validity period provides a controlled timeframe to reassess the vessel under new management
- This approach ensures consistent and transparent treatment across all vessels/companies