Page No. 11 - 20: Boxing And Dancing: The Challenges Of Enforcement In Global Shipping

Abstract

In recent years, the spread of inspections and other forms of enforcement (audits, surveys, vetting, assurance etc.) has reached a stage of ‘explosion’ in terms of both scope and frequency. There is a real concern that the enforcement regime, i.e. compliance with rules, regulations and industry standards, has fallen victim to its original intentions of managing safety risks. Many seafarers I have interviewed believe that on-board inspections are merely paying lip service to regulatory and commercial obligations and not necessarily addressing genuine safety risks.