Methodology

What We Measure & What it stands for
The average number of deficiencies per PSCI recorded for a ship or a set of PSCIs for a fleet.
DPI reflects the overall compliance health of a vessel or fleet.

• Lower DPI = Less Deficiencies on average = Better compliance
• Higher DPI = More frequent findings, Less compliance, more possible weaknesses

Why It’s Important

• DPI is a leading indicator for PSC underperformance, repeat findings, and PSC targeting.
• Used by MoUs and vetting bodies as a proxy for safety performance.

Real Life Interpretation (So What?)

• DPI Performance < Average, i.e. Less than 50%: Ship/Fleet is underperforming; immediate further review, root cause analysis and corrective /preventive action plan required.
• If DPI Performance improves over time: Evidence of effective implementation and reduced commercial risk.
• DPI = 0: Strong competitive advantage in vetting and chartering.

What We Measure & What it stands for
The percentage of PSCIs that resulted in a detention for a ship or a set of PSCIs for a fleet.
DER reflects the vessel’s ability to maintain compliance at a level that avoids detentions.

• Lower DER = Fewer detentions = Higher compliance and reliability
• Higher DER = Frequent detentions = Serious compliance gaps, operational risk, reputational damage

Why It’s Important

• A detention is the most severe outcome of a PSC inspection.
• DER is a critical KPI for MoUs, Flag States, vetting bodies, charterers, and insurers.
• A high DER directly affects the commercial acceptability of a vessel/fleet.

Real Life Interpretation (So What?)

• DER Performance < Average, i.e. Less than 50%: Ship/Fleet is underperforming; immediate further review, root cause analysis and corrective action and preventive action plan required.
• Consistently decreasing DER: Evidence of strong compliance culture, effective SMS implementation, and reduced commercial risk.
• DER = 0%: Strong competitive advantage in vetting and chartering.

What We Measure & What it stands for
The percentage of deficiencies related to the Safety Management System (The sum of Repeat deficiencies for the same Ship over the last 36 months and the Number of ISM Code – 15xxx codes) recorded during PSC inspections (PSCIs) for a ship or a fleet.
SDR reflects the ability of a vessel or fleet to maintain an effective Safety Management System (SMS).

• Lower SDR = Fewer SMS-related failures = Stronger SMS  implementation & compliance/safety culture
• Higher SDR = Frequent SMS-related deficiencies = Weakness in SMS implementation and safety culture

Why It’s Important

• SDR is the leading KPIs for systemic issues because it doesn’t just measure technical gaps but also the strength of company SMS as monitored in real life onboard ships.
• This is by far the purest Leading Indicator of a possible SMS Failure, even before a Detention may occur
• SMS-related deficiencies are seen as systemic failures, not isolated events.
• They are often treated by PSC inspectors as leading indicators of safety risk and may increase targeting probability.
• A high SDR undermines confidence in the company’s SMS and can lead to detentions or commercial rejection.

Real Life Interpretation (So What?)

• SDR Performance < Average, i.e. Less than 50%: Indicates weak SMS implementation; requires immediate systematic review, root cause analysis and corrective action and preventive action plan required.
• Decreasing SDR over time: Demonstrates improved SMS implementation and safety culture.
• SDR close to 0%: Competitive advantage, signaling effective SMS implementation in all fronts.

What We Measure & What it stands for
The number of deficiencies recorded during an actual PSCI that are considered predicable and therefore have been included in the PSC Preparation Checklist that may be provided to a ship before hand (if they were using the RISK4SEA POCRA and POCRA Checklist).

A Deficiency may be considered Predictable on the following occasions ahead of a PSCI:

• A deficiency has been recorded as a detainable (even once) in the port for the ship type over the last 36 months
• A deficiency is included as related to CiC in a port where a CiC is in effect at the time of PSCI
• A deficiency has an occurrence rate>1% in the port for the ship type over the last 36 months

This is a severity weighted Index accounting detainable deficiencies with increased severity so that a single index is produced properly reflecting what happened.

PDI is a Leading Indicator and it may be interpreted in two ways.

• If the Ship has been provided with a POCRA Checklist, how good they read the checklist and implemented the actions due
• If the Ship has not been provided with a POCRA Checklist how predictable were the actual recorded deficiencies

• Lower PDI = Better Implementation of the Checklist
• Higher PDI = Not good implementation of the Checklist (assuming one provided)

Why It’s Important

• PDI is a unique predictive KPI within RISK4SEA — it turns compliance monitoring from reactive to proactive.
• PDI is forward-looking – unlike DPI, which is historical, reflecting how teams respond on the checklist.
• Helps ship & office teams prepare proactively before an upcoming port call.
• Enables prioritization of resources, checklists, and corrective actions for vessels at higher risk.
• Signals a reduced likelihood of surprise detentions.

Real Life Interpretation (So What?)

• PDI Performance < Average, i.e. Less than 50%: Ship is underperforming compared to peers; they either not paying attention, reading or implementing the checklist in a proper manner compared with peers and further actions should be considered.
• If PDI decreases over time: Demonstrates positive improvements, better reading and implementation of the Checklist, meaning actions planned are effective.
• PDI ≈ 0: Excellent status, PSCIs are recorded with minor findingsm reading and implementation of checklist is excellent, minimal or very low PSC exposure risk.

What We Measure & What it stands for
The average number of deficiencies per PSC inspection (PSCI) that are related to human factors and crewing issues (e.g., certificates, competence, drills, working/rest hours, living conditions, MLC compliance).
HFC DPI reflects the crew readiness and human element compliance of a vessel or fleet.

• Lower HFC DPI = Fewer crew-related deficiencies = Higher crew competence and welfare standards
• Higher HFC DPI = Frequent crew-related deficiencies = Weakness in training, certification, or safety culture

This is a severity weighted Index accounting for detainable deficiencies with increased severity so that a single index is produced properly reflecting what happened.

The calculated value is expressed in milli-DPI (mDPI), equivalent to 1/1000 of a DPI. This representation is both more intuitive and visually meaningful, as it reflects deficiencies per 1000 PSCIs (1000 mDPI= DPI).

Why It’s Important

• This is a unique comparable KPI accounting for Human Factor and Crewing findings on same ports, ship types etc. and focus on a specific area giving an excellent health indication.
• Human Factors and Crew-related issues are leading causes of SMS underperformance, incidents, and repeat findings.
• PSC authorities treat crewing and human factors as high-risk areas (MLC, STCW, drills, safety culture).
• HFC DPI is a strong leading indicator of safety performance and operational resilience.
• Direct impact on reputation, crew welfare, and compliance credibility.
• Each of the three components of DPI (HFC DPI, ROC DPI, and SSE DPI) provide a clean benchmark against the market and a clear breakdown of compliance health.

Real Life Interpretation (So What?)

• HFC mDPI Performance < Average, i.e. Less than 50%: Indicates crewing-related weaknesses (training, certification, drills, living conditions) that may escalate to incidents, detentions; with additional review, training, auditing  and HR focus and interventions required.
• Decreasing HFC mDPI over time: Evidence of stronger crew competence and better MLC/STCW compliance.
• HFC mDPI close to 0: Indicates excellent crew readiness, a key differentiator in PSC performance.

What We Measure & What it stands for
The average number of deficiencies per PSC inspection (PSCI) that are related to regulatory documentation, operational procedures, and statutory compliance (e.g., certificates, logbooks, MARPOL records, drills, voyage planning, ISM documentation).
ROC DPI reflects the vessel’s and company’s ability to maintain up-to-date certificates, accurate records, and compliant operational practices.

• Lower ROC DPI = Fewer regulatory/documentation/procedure deficiencies = Stronger compliance culture
• Higher ROC DPI = Frequent documentation/procedure deficiencies = Weaker regulatory oversight and operational discipline

This is a severity weighted Index accounting for detainable deficiencies with increased severity so that a single index is produced properly  reflecting what happened.

The calculated value is expressed in milli-DPI (mDPI), equivalent to 1/1000 of a DPI. This representation is both more intuitive and visually meaningful, as it reflects deficiencies per 1000 PSCIs (1000 mDPI= DPI).

Why It’s Important

• Provides a unique comparable KPI focused on the administrative and operational execution of compliance.
• Documentation and procedural deficiencies are the common PSC findings, and they often trigger further more detailed inspection by PSCOs.
• High ROC DPI signals weaknesses in Record-keeping, SMS implementation and overall implementation of regulatory requirements.
• ROC DPI is strongly linked to HFC DPI (crew execution) and SSE DPI (technical execution), providing a complete picture of PSC risk.
• Each of the three components of DPI (HFC DPI, ROC DPI, and SSE DPI) provide a clean benchmark against the market and a clear breakdown of compliance health.

Real Life Interpretation (So What?)

• ROC DPI Performance < Average, i.e. Less than 50%: Signals recurring procedural/documentation gaps — corrective training, auditing, and stronger managerial oversight needed.
• Improving ROC DPI over time: Evidence of stronger regulatory discipline, more robust SMS, and reduced PSC exposure.
• ROC DPI close to 0: Indicates excellent compliance management, a strong advantage in PSCI performance and vetting.

What We Measure & What it stands for
The average number of deficiencies per PSC inspection (PSCI) that are related to a vessel’s structural condition, onboard equipment, and technical maintenance (e.g., hull integrity, watertight doors, firefighting systems, life-saving appliances, navigation equipment, machinery maintenance).
SSE DPI reflects the vessel’s physical condition, equipment readiness, and maintenance standards.

• Lower SSE DPI = Fewer structural/equipment deficiencies = Stronger maintenance culture
• Higher SSE DPI = Frequent technical/structural deficiencies = Poor maintenance discipline, higher safety risk

This is a severity weighted Index accounting for detainable deficiencies with increased severity so that a single index is produced properly  reflecting what happened.

The calculated value is expressed in milli-DPI (mDPI), equivalent to 1/1000 of a DPI. This representation is both more intuitive and visually meaningful, as it reflects deficiencies per 1000 PSCIs (1000 mDPI= DPI).

Why It’s Important

• Provides a unique comparable KPI focused on the Ship Structure & Equipment and the maintenance culture.
• Structure and equipment findings are safety-critical and are common causes of detentions.
• High SSE DPI highlights weaknesses in maintenance systems, managerial oversight, and 3rd parties (class, Flag, vetting) follow-up.
• SSE DPI is strongly linked to detentions (DER), since technical/structural issues are often considered major PSC risks.
• Each of the three components of DPI (HFC DPI, ROC DPI, and SSE DPI) provide a clean benchmark against the market and a clear breakdown of compliance health.

Real Life Interpretation (So What?)

• SSE DPI Performance < Average, i.e. Less than 50%: Signals weaknesses in structural integrity and equipment maintenance, requiring enhanced managerial follow-up, drydock/maintenance planning, and technical audits.
• Improving SSE DPI over time: Evidence of stronger maintenance culture, proactive defect management, and reduced PSC exposure.
• SSE DPI close to 0: Indicates excellent physical condition and equipment readiness — a strong differentiator in inspections and vetting.

The Values for each KPI are based on the performance of Each PSC Inspection, as calculated on the TRAIL report and then on a Ship, Manager, Port, Class, Flag etc. level on the basis of the PSCIs consisting PSCI History of the asset. Thet means that they are geo-tagged on the exact port that the PSCI has been conducted.

The Benchmark values are also the average values applicable on each PSCI for the Ship type on the same port and in that fashion they follow every PSCI and contribute on the calculation of the Benchmarks when necessary.

Given that the best value in all KPIs used are always the smallest one (beating the benchmark means that you have a lower value than the benchmark in this case) and in order to provide a meaning outcome is:

With the outcome always a % value from 0 (worst performance) to 50% (aveage0 through 100% (best) performance. Given the nature of the values and the performance they have real life Interpretation.

• KPI Performance  < Average, i.e. Less than 50%:  This is performance below average, with a clear indication of the gap between the performance and the average 50% where improvements should be considered.
• Improving KPI Performance over time: Evidence of improved performance in the specific area.
• KPI Value close to 0: Indicates performance excellence where always the 0 values are the best, synonym to 100% performance as the formula

SCORE is calculated on each PSCI, Ship, Manager, Port, Class, Flag, etc. and it is the basis of benchmarking in the platform. SCOREs are available on all PSCIs and all Tabs, on the same basis.

The SCORE represents the overall PSC performance, expressed as a weighted composite of seven KPIs. Each KPI is first converted into a Performance Value (KPIp) on a 0–100% scale, where:

• 0% = Worst performance
• 50% = Average (benchmark level)
• 100% = Best performance

The calculation ensures that each KPI is assessed against its benchmark, reflecting how well or poorly it performs in relation to the peer benchmark at any given time.

The SCORE is then calculated as follows:
SCORE = 25% x DPIp + 25% x DERp + 10% x SDRp + 10%x PDIp + 10%x HFC mDPIp + 10%x ROC mDPIp + 10%x SSE mDPIp

The value of the SCORE is ranging from 0 to 100 where 0 indicates worst performance, 50 is the average and 100 is the best performance.

The performance is split into five (5) Classification Tiers indicated with letters:
A: Top 20% Tier (i.e. performances between 80-100%)
B: Top 40% Tier (i.e. performances between 60-80%)
C: Average Tier (i.e. performances between 40-60%)
D: Bottom 40% Tier (i.e. performances between 20-40%)
E: Bottom 20% Tier (i.e. performances between 0-20%)

RISK4SEA monitors the performance of Ships splatted in segments as it makes more sense and at the same time not allowing ships of different segments to be compared with each other.

We split the global fleet into the following segments, based on DWT:

Please refer to https://risk4sea.com/psc-top-performers/

Please refer to https://risk4sea.com/psc-challenging-ports/

We monitor each PSCI and we have accurate deficiency Profiles for every Port, PSC Station and Segment or bundle worldwide at any given time.

We analyze deficiencies in 4 Class

• As per Deficiency Code (a 5 digit code, similar to what each PSC Authority is reporting)
• As per Deficiency Categories, similar to what the key MoU are using
• As per Deficiency Groups, this is a RISK4SEA  methodology
• As per Deficiency Domains, this is a RISK4SEA methodology

We report on the following Deficiency Categories on each Port State Control Inspection:

We report on the following Deficiency Groups on each Port State Control Inspection:

We report on the following Deficiency Domains on each Port State Control Inspection

• Human Factors & Crewing (HFC), covering issues related to a vessel’s structural condition, onboard equipment, and technical maintenance (e.g., hull integrity, watertight doors, firefighting systems, life-saving appliances, navigation equipment, machinery maintenance).
• Regulatory & Operational Compliance (ROC), covering issues related to regulatory documentation, operational procedures, and statutory compliance (e.g., certificates, logbooks, MARPOL records, drills, voyage planning, ISM documentation).
• Ship Structure & Equipment (SSE), covering issues related to human factors and crewing issues (e.g., certificates, competence, drills, working/rest hours, living conditions, MLC compliance).

The above domains have their own DPIs that are reported and calculated in details on every PSCI and credited to all assets of the platform (Ships, managers, ports, etc.)

The Deficiency Benchmarking methodology is the same with the one used on the HFC, ROC & SSE KPI Benchmarking.

For every Deficiency Class (category, group or Domain), similarly to HFC, ROC & SSE KPIs, we need:

• DC SW% : Deficiency Class Severity Weighted %
• DC Value : Deficiency Class Value
• DC Benchmark : Deficiency Class Benchmark
• DC Performance or SCORE

Real Life Interpretation (So What?)

• DC Performance < Average, i.e. Less than 50%: Signals weaknesses in the Deficiency Class areas.

• Improving DC Value over time: Evidence of better accrual performance, and reduced PSC exposure.

• DC Value close to 0: Indicates excellent performance and readiness — a strong differentiator in inspections and vetting.

PSC Automation works bringing many parts of the system together as outline below:

Please refer to https://risk4sea.com/automation/

Please refer to https://risk4sea.com/POCRA

On the outcome of the Automated POCRA the system will proceed with decision making for every POCRA Risk Level (PRL) as incorporated into the system.

For every POCRA Risk Level (PRL) the system will make a decision taking the following into consideration, as agreed in advance with the manager of the ship:

• Ship PSCI Priority
• Additional Review of the case of PRL-7 as necessary basis on the Eligible Ship Inspection Share (ESIS)
• Manager with to include/exclude ports, countries, MoU etc.
• Application of automated settings agreed on the checklist length, type and delivery format
• Additional Settings agreed in advance

The decision will include the following topics:

• To send or not to send an e-mail
• The exact wording of the mail
• The attachments to the mail
• The format of the checklist
• The update of the necessary Future Calls Dashboard

Please refer to https://risk4sea.com/SPARC

Please refer to https://risk4sea.com/TRAIL

The PSCI Dashboard is one of the main platform tools to monitor the performance of the fleet under management and it is updated daily with the PSCIs and the intelligence behind each PSCI (Track, Review, Assessment & Inspection Learning, (TRAIL)) allowing the users to have a 1-click view of all the important issues surrounding the fleet performance.

The Future Calls Dashboard is one of the main platform tools to monitor the performance of the fleet under management and it is updated daily with the calls uploaded to the system daily allowing the users to have a 1-click view of all the important issues surrounding fleet performance.

The Port Alerts Dashboard is summarizing the key alerts for all ports and fleet segments across the globe on a daily basis and provides an excellent early notification warning tool for all users with the intelligence made available in the Port Call Risk Assessment (POCRA). Specifically it reports/coverts;

• # of PSCIs in a  given port for the segment
• Detentions Rate (DER) Last 36 Calendar Months
• Detentions Rate (DER) Last 12 Calendar Months
• Detentions Rate (DER) Last 10 PSCIs
• Detentions Rate (DER) Last 5 PSCIs
• #Repeat Detainable DEF Areas, Last 10 Detentions
• #Repeat Detainable DEF Areas, Last 5 Detentions
• #Detainable Deficiency Areas (Unique)
• #Predictable Deficiency Areas (Unique)

Please refer to https://risk4sea.com/PRL

Please refer to https://risk4sea.com/SPOT