Condition survey programme

Emergency Contact

Reducing Members’ exposure to claims is central to the function of the Club’s Loss Prevention department (LPD). As part of this mandate the department seeks to proactively address areas of concern identified by the Club or within the industry.

The Club’s Condition Survey Programme (CSP) is a crucial tool to identify these concerns. The CSP has been used by the Club for over two decades and exists to ensure that vessels entered with the Club are in a condition that is of mutual benefit to all Members.

Over 400 vessels are surveyed annually by Club appointed surveyors. In 2024, the Club carried out 461 condition surveys on a variety of vessels worldwide.

Surveys undertaken in 2024

461

surveys

countries

8,281

risks identified

Top five defects*

119,628

Survey Questions Answered

	Inspected	Defect	Percentage
Are there appropriate notices to warn the crew of the hazards associated with mooring operations including the entire mooring deck area being a snap back zone?**	412	118	29.00%
Are the machinery space bilges clean and free of oil, waste and sediments?**	412	102	25.00%
Are the engine compartments including bilges, clean, tidy and free from combustible materials?**	412	94	23.00%
Are save-alls (drip trays) around cargo/bunker connection and air/vent pipes adequate and in good condition?	412	82	20.00%
Are air pipes, sounding pipes and filing pipes in good condition?**	412	77	19.00%

*Data from surveys undertaken between 01 January and 31 December 2024.

**Guidance available: Snap back zones / Engine room bilges / Air pipes and associated closing devices

In focus: Cyber Risk

Risk

Cyber risk can be represented as a threat or vulnerability resulting from either a computer or software hack for the purpose of theft, disruption or damage.

Law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) and maritime cyber security company CyberOwl have conducted research* that reports the shipping industry remains an “easy target” for cyber criminals. The report notes:

550,000

US$

the average cost to the target organisation of a Maritime cyber-attack in 2023; up 202% from 2022.

3.2 million

US$

the average ransom paid in 2023; up 350% from 2022.

Club Condition Surveys

Data from surveys undertaken in 2024 show that, where required**, Members have taken action to mitigate against cyber risk.

95%

of 200 vessels used passwords to protect access to computers, Wi-Fi and networks.

93%

of 228 vessels had up to date anti-virus software installed.

92%

of the 185 vessels had cyber security procedures in place.

91%

of 197 vessels had measures in place to prevent the transfer of viruses using external media.

96%

of 206 vessels monitored the usage of computers on board.

Prevention

Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted Resolution MSC.428(98) affirming that an approved Safety Management System should take into account cyber risk management in accordance with the objectives and functional requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.

pillars of protection for Cyber security:

Identify | Protect | Detect

Respond | Recover

***Pa$5w0rd***

A string of three random words makes a strong, easy to remember password.

STOP

if something looks or seems suspicious.

* Global Industry Report: Shifting Tides, Rising Ransoms and Critical Decisions: Progress on maritime cyber risk management maturity - Cyber Owl Global Industry Report - The great disconnect: The state of maritime cyber risk management

** Where cyber security measures were a requirement, but were not found to be in place, defects were proactively raised to enable rectification.

Find more cyber security related resources here.