Akgünler Denizcilik's Ro-Ro vessel Marin will be temporarily unable to load cargo due to deficiencies identified during a Port State Control (PSC) inspection conducted at Mersin Port. This situation particularly affects commercial cargo transportation between Turkey and Northern Cyprus, and the vessel is expected to address the identified deficiencies and receive re-approval before resuming its voyages.
PSC Inspection on the Marin Vessel at Mersin Port
According to information reported by Kıbrıs Postası, the Ro-Ro vessel Marin, part of the Akgünler Denizcilik fleet, underwent a comprehensive Port State Control (PSC) inspection at Mersin Port after completing its discharge operations upon arrival with empty TIRs, and before taking on new cargo. This control, conducted within the framework of international maritime regulations to inspect vessels' compliance with safety, technical competence, and crew standards, is of great importance for the safety of sea transportation.
What Was Examined During the Inspection?
Inspection teams conducted an extensive examination of the Marin vessel. During these examinations, many critical aspects of the ship were checked:
- Safety equipment ensuring life and navigation safety
- Firefighting and emergency systems
- Certificates related to the vessel's structural and technical condition
- Competency documents required for the crew
Inspectors conducted detailed checks, considering not only the information on paper but also the actual condition of the vessel. As a result of these controls, non-compliant issues with international standards were recorded in the PSC report.
Loading Cannot Resume Until Deficiencies Are Rectified
According to information obtained by Kıbrıs Postası, the Marin vessel is currently not permitted to take on new cargo due to deficiencies identified during the inspection and recorded in the report. For the vessel to resume operations, all deficiencies specified in the report must be promptly rectified. Following the completion of these rectifications, PSC authorities will conduct another inspection of the vessel, and if compliance approval is granted as a result of these checks, the Marin will be able to load cargo from Mersin Port again.
What Should Passengers and Cargo Owners Do?
This situation directly affects companies and cargo owners engaged in Ro-Ro transportation, particularly on the Mersin - Gazimağusa and Gazimağusa - Mersin routes. It is crucial to follow Akgünler Denizcilik's official announcements and updated schedule information to learn about potential delays or alternative arrangements. You are advised to check for current information through the company's official communication channels.
Focus on the Second Inspection
All eyes are now on how quickly Akgünler Denizcilik will rectify the deficiencies noted in the PSC report and the outcome of the upcoming second inspection. Given the critical importance of Ro-Ro services for commercial cargo traffic in maritime transportation between Northern Cyprus and Turkey, the timeline for the Marin vessel to resume loading is being closely monitored. The final decision on when the vessel can resume loading will rest with the PSC authorities who will re-inspect the ship after the deficiencies have been addressed.