Press Release - The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's
Response to growth in the UK Merchant Fleet
11 February 2009
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) coped with the
substantial increase in size of the UK-registered merchant shipping
fleet following tax changes in 2000. It delegated more of its ship
survey work to the classification societies and used its existing
staff resources more efficiently. But according to the National
Audit Office, the Agency is now facing significant challenges. Its
capacity to meet ship inspection targets is being stretched, and
competing countries with their own merchant fleets are improving
their performance, eroding the quality advantage of the UK
flag.
Before the introduction of the tonnage tax in 2000, the MCA had not
planned how it would handle the growth in the size of the
UK-flagged merchant fleet. As the fleet grew from 1,050 vessels in
2000 to 1,518 by the end of 2007, the Agency responded with
measures such as delegating to classification societies more of the
survey work on vessel structure and equipment. It retains the
survey work related to safety management systems and all the
inspection work. Since 2000, it has met or exceeded most of its
targets for this work with fewer marine surveyors than during the
1990s.
In 2007-08, for the first time, the Agency missed some of its
targets for inspections of UK vessels. The risk is that vessels not
complying with UK and international regulations will operate
without detection. To stay ahead, the Agency also has to meet the
further challenge of recruiting marine surveyors in a competitive
market for their skills.
The UK, in seeking to attract ships to the UK flag, is increasingly
competing with other flag states. The proportion of UK vessels
detained overseas because they are not fit to go to sea remains
among the smallest for any flag state, but the rest of the world is
catching up.
Tim Burr, head of the NAO, said today:
"The Maritime and Coastguard Agency coped with the recent
sharp increase in the size of the UK-flagged merchant fleet by
using its staff more efficiently and by delegating more of its
survey work. But with fewer surveyors, the Agency is now struggling
to inspect the increased fleet, which could put at risk the quality
advantage of the UK flag. Better recruitment and succession
planning will be needed, along with more strategic delegation to
the classification societies."
Notes for Editors:
- The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is an executive agency of
the Department for Transport. It is responsible throughout the UK
for implementing the UK government’s maritime safety and
environmental protection policy. One of the Agency’s main roles is
to maintain the safety, security and environmental standards of
commercial vessels flying the UK flag (the “flag state” function),
and of foreign vessels visiting UK ports and waters (the “port
state” function), and the safety of seafarers serving on those
vessels.
- Surveys. Under international maritime law all vessels are
required to hold relevant, up to date safety certificates. Surveys
are periodic and mandatory and are undertaken either by the
Agency’s surveyors or a recognised Classification Society prior to
issuing or renewing certificates. They cover specific items such as
construction, equipment or operations on board a ship.
- Inspections. Inspections are selective and cover the whole
vessel rather than specific areas. They are carried out to check
that the conditions under which a vessel’s certificates were issued
still hold. The Agency’s marine surveyors carry out general
inspections and they are not delegated to classification
societies.
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard
copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702
3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Tim Burr, is the head of
the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He and the
NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 09/09
All enquiries to Barry Lester, NAO Press Office:
Tel: 020 7798 7937
Mobile: 07748 181 692