The shipping industry, which transports 90% of worldwide trade, is inevitably influenced by turbulent global market patterns. Owners must regularly assess how their tonnage is being used in order to meet demand within their segment. Laying up one or more ships until demand picks up is often the most flexible and profitable choice. This entails halting trade and anchoring the ship for a length of time, either alongside or at sea.

Before the lay-up, a strategy should be created that includes adequate processes for safely mitigating all hazards identified in the evaluation.

Lay-Up Condition

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One of the most important factors to consider while preparing a lay-up is the estimated duration, as this will influence the precautions that must be implemented. In the shipping sector, there are two types of lay-up conditions:

Hot Lay-up — it usually lasts between one and twelve months. Because the ship will ordinarily produce its own electrical power, a concentrated crew, usually below safe staffing standards, will continue on board to do necessary maintenance and keep some of the ship’s machinery operational. Ships in hot lay-up Malaysia will usually just need a short amount of time to prepare for reactivation or reinstatement, however drydocking may be required in some situations.

Notification In Writing

Members have to inform the ship’s Flag classification and administration society, as well as the municipal authorities in the jurisdiction where the ship will be laid-up, regardless of whether the ship will be reserved in a hot or cold lay-up. Each of these parties may impose their own rules in order to ensure that the lay-up is done safely.

Location

The location of the ship’s lay-up is critical for its safety and protection. Before deciding on a lay-up spot, a Member should think about the following:

The proximity of other ships and related traffic risks, such as shipping routes or open roadstead anchorages, are referred to as traffic.

Shelter

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The amount of protection provided from open seas and strong winds, taking into account the ship’s windage area, as well as swell, surge, and any strong currents.

Seasonal Weather – The consistency and frequency with which local weather forecasts and warnings are issued, as well as the closeness to known tropical cyclone or hurricane zones, moving ice, and other factors.

The seabed should be clear of impediments, wrecks, and other projecting items and give appropriate anchor holding force.

Water Depth – This should provide enough clearance at very low tides while also not exceeding the anchor chain’s restrictions.

Bollards – These must be of adequate strength and should be positioned to ensure an appropriate lead suitable for the mooring pattern, taking into account the number of lines, lengths, angles, and leads, as well as the ability to keep the lines taut.

Emergency readiness

Local plans and services should be in place to cope with any fires, flooding, security events, mooring failures, medical problems, or if the ship needs to be moved due to a sudden change in weather or other conditions. This includes the availability of local tug help in particular.

Security — Determine whether there are any known security dangers in the vicinity, such as a high risk of piracy, armed robberies, or other criminal acts that could jeopardies the ship’s security during the lay-up period.

Mooring

The Member must choose a mooring and create a mooring arrangement analysis based on the chosen lay-up position. The seabed and projected weather patterns will be examined, as well as the strength of available onshore and aboard bollards, mooring lines, and anchors, as well as if the ship will be moored as part of a group or not. This examination should also look at the major machinery’s preparedness and the proper manpower levels.

Manning level

The manning of the ship is frequently decreased to an acceptable minimum during lay-up to cut costs. Members should identify any dangers that may arise during the lay-up as part of their risk assessment in order to establish the appropriate staffing level required to safeguard the ship and crew’s safety at all times.