When I first started studying vessel inspections, one of the biggest questions I had was:

“Why do shipowners worry so much about RightShip when the vessel already holds valid statutory certificates?”

At first glance, it may seem strange.

A vessel can have all required certificates, maintain valid class status, and still receive unfavorable findings during a RightShip inspection.

The reason is simple.

RightShip was never designed to be another Port State Control inspection.

Its purpose is different like sire inspection

This inspection is focusing on the status and condition for bulk carrier.

The Origin of RightShip

RightShip was established in 2001 by major resource companies including BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

The objective was straightforward:

To reduce maritime risk by providing a more comprehensive assessment of vessel quality and operational standards.

Large cargo interests realized that legal compliance alone did not always indicate a well-managed vessel.

Several major maritime incidents involved ships that were technically compliant but suffered from poor maintenance practices, weak safety culture, or inadequate management systems.

As a result, the industry began looking beyond certificates and focusing on operational risk.

This eventually became the foundation of RightShip.

What Makes RightShip Different?

Many people compare RightShip directly with PSC.

In reality, they evaluate different things.

PSC primarily asks:

Is the vessel compliant with international regulations?

RightShip asks:

Is this a vessel that I would trust with my cargo?

This difference is significant.

A vessel may successfully pass PSC inspections while still demonstrating operational weaknesses that raise concerns for charterers, cargo owners, or terminal operators.

RightShip’s Role in Modern Shipping

Today, RightShip has become one of the most influential maritime risk platforms in the dry bulk sector.

Before fixing a vessel, many charterers and cargo interests review:

• Safety performance
• Inspection history
• Vessel risk profile
• Environmental performance
• Operational standards

For many bulk carriers, maintaining a positive RightShip profile is almost as important as maintaining statutory compliance.

A poor inspection outcome may impact commercial opportunities, even if the vessel remains legally fit for service.

Understanding RISQ

The foundation of the RightShip inspection process is RISQ (RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire).

The current version contains an extensive range of inspection items covering both technical and operational aspects of vessel management.

Unlike some inspections that focus on a single area, RISQ evaluates the vessel as a complete operating system.

The questionnaire includes subjects such as:

• Certification and Personnel
• Navigation
• ISM Management
• Pollution Prevention
• Ship Structure
• Cargo Operations
• Mooring Operations
• Machinery Spaces
• Crew Welfare

and many others.

For surveyors, this means that inspection findings often reflect the overall management culture onboard rather than isolated technical defects.

What Is RightShip Actually Looking For?

One common misunderstanding among seafarers is that RightShip inspections are simply another version of Port State Control.

However, RightShip itself defines a different objective.

According to the RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire (RISQ), the purpose of the inspection is not only to verify compliance with regulations, but also to assess the overall quality of the vessel and the crew’s familiarity with safety requirements, industry recommendations, and operational best practices.

In simple terms, RightShip is not only asking:

“Is the vessel compliant?”

It is also asking:

“Is this vessel being operated professionally?”

This distinction explains why two vessels with identical certificates may receive very different inspection outcomes.

One vessel may demonstrate a strong safety culture, excellent maintenance standards, and knowledgeable crew members.

The other may technically comply with regulations while showing signs of poor management or weak operational control.

The Four Vessel Categories Covered by RightShip Dry Inspections

Another important point often overlooked is that RightShip does not inspect every vessel type using exactly the same approach.

According to the RISQ guidance, vessels undergoing RightShip Dry Inspection are generally grouped into four categories:

1. Bulk Carriers Carrying Solid Bulk Cargoes (Other Than Grain)

Examples include:

• Iron Ore
• Coal
• Bauxite
• Nickel Ore
• Mineral Concentrates

These vessels represent a major portion of the global dry bulk fleet and often operate under strict charterer requirements.

2. Bulk Carriers Carrying Grain Cargoes

Grain cargoes introduce unique operational risks.

Inspectors may pay particular attention to:

• Hatch cover integrity
• Water ingress prevention
• Cargo hold cleanliness
• Loading procedures

Because even minor contamination can result in substantial cargo claims.

3. General Cargo Ships

These vessels transport a wide variety of cargoes and frequently visit smaller ports.

Surveyors often encounter greater variation in maintenance standards across this segment.

4. Container Ships

Container vessels generally operate under highly structured schedules.

Inspection focus often includes:

• Lashing arrangements
• Cargo securing
• Bridge procedures
• Operational discipline

due to the demanding nature of liner operations.

How RightShip Findings Are Actually Created

Many seafarers believe that inspectors simply walk around looking for defects.

The RISQ process is far more structured.

For every inspection question, the inspector must choose one of four responses:

YES

The vessel complies with the requirement.

Evidence supports satisfactory implementation.

NO

The requirement has not been met.

A finding will normally be raised.

N/A (Not Applicable)

The question does not apply to the vessel.

For example, a bulk carrier would not be assessed against requirements specific to container securing systems.

N/V (Not Viewed)

The item was not examined during the inspection.

The inspector must explain why the item was not reviewed.

This systematic approach helps maintain consistency between inspections performed by different surveyors around the world.

What Is Considered a Finding?

This is perhaps one of the most important concepts for junior surveyors.

A finding is not limited to physical defects.

According to RISQ guidance, findings may include deficiencies involving:

Physical Condition

• Corrosion
• Leakage
• Damaged equipment

Documentation

• Missing records
• Incomplete procedures
• Incorrect certificates

Management Systems

• Ineffective PMS implementation
• Weak permit-to-work controls
• Inadequate risk assessments

Crew Practices

• Poor procedural knowledge
• Incorrect operational practices
• Failure to follow company procedures

This explains why some vessels receive findings even when they appear physically clean and well maintained.

RightShip evaluates the entire management system, not just the appearance of the vessel.

A Surveyor’s Perspective

When I first began studying inspection systems, I expected most findings to come from obvious technical defects.

The more inspection reports I reviewed, the more I realized that many findings actually originated from gaps in procedures, documentation, and crew familiarity.

A vessel’s condition can often be improved within weeks.

Building a strong safety culture takes much longer.

That is why RightShip places significant emphasis on operational behavior and management effectiveness rather than focusing solely on visible defects.

What Surveyors Often Notice First

New surveyors sometimes focus heavily on visible defects such as corrosion, coating breakdown, or housekeeping issues.

While these are important, they rarely tell the full story.

In practice, some of the strongest indicators of vessel quality include:

• Class status condition
• Outstanding recommendations
• Crew familiarity with procedures
• PMS implementation
• Permit-to-work practices
• Engine room management
• Mooring equipment maintenance

A vessel’s safety culture usually becomes visible long before a surveyor reaches the end of the inspection checklist.

Why RightShip Continues to Grow

The shipping industry is becoming increasingly focused on risk management.

Environmental performance, operational reliability, and safety culture now play a larger role in commercial decision-making than ever before.

Because of this trend, RightShip inspections are no longer viewed as simple vetting exercises.

They have become an important indicator of how a vessel is managed on a day-to-day basis.

For marine surveyors, understanding RightShip is not only useful for inspections—it also provides valuable insight into what modern charterers and cargo owners expect from a professionally operated vessel.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, the most important lesson from studying RightShip is this:

Good ships are not defined by certificates alone.

The best vessels usually demonstrate strong maintenance practices, effective management systems, knowledgeable crews, and a genuine commitment to safety.

RightShip was created to identify those differences.

For anyone involved in marine surveying, ship management, or vessel operations, understanding RightShip is becoming increasingly essential.

Author: Joseph Kwon

Senior Marine Engineer

This article is based on my ongoing studies and practical experience in marine engineering, vessel inspections, and maritime compliance.