🚫 Detained by Class: Why It Happens and How to Fix It Fast

My name is Davide Ramponi, I’m 21 years old and currently training as a shipping agent in Hamburg. On my blog, I take you with me on my journey into the exciting world of shipping. I share my knowledge, my experiences, and my progress on the way to becoming an expert in the field of Sale and Purchase – the trade with ships.

When people hear “detention,” they often think of Port State Control (PSC). But there’s another powerful actor in the compliance world: Classification Societies. Yes, the very organizations entrusted with verifying your vessel’s seaworthiness can also stop it cold — if certain conditions are not met.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at why ships get detained by class, how it differs from port-related actions, and what proactive strategies shipowners can adopt to avoid disruptions, reputational damage, and cascading commercial consequences.

🔍 In this post, I’ll walk you through:

• ⚖️ The most common causes for class-related detentions

• 🆚 How they differ from port state detentions

• 🛑 Operational and reputational consequences of class actions

• 🧯 Fast-track resolution methods

• 🔍 Preventative inspection best practices

⚠️ What Is a Classification Society Detention?

A Classification Society detention occurs when a vessel fails to meet the minimum standards required to retain its class status. That failure may relate to hull integrity, machinery condition, safety systems, or failure to perform required surveys and repairs.

When class is suspended or withdrawn:

• Insurers may void coverage

• Ports may deny entry

• Flag states may intervene

• Charterers may cancel fixtures

📌 In essence, a class detention is a red flag across the entire compliance chain.

📋 Most Common Grounds for Class Detentions

Unlike PSC, which inspects for statutory compliance (e.g. MARPOL, SOLAS), class societies evaluate a vessel’s technical and structural health. Some reasons for detention include:

🚨 Key detention triggers:

• Overdue surveys (e.g. Annual Survey, Intermediate Survey)

• Unreported damage to hull or machinery

• Expired temporary repairs without permanent remedy

• Failure to rectify Conditions of Class (CoC) within specified time

• Serious corrosion or cracking discovered during inspections

• Equipment failures affecting propulsion, navigation, or emergency systems

• Non-compliance with approved repair plans

🛠 Many class societies will issue recommendations or memoranda before detaining — but when ignored, they act decisively.

🆚 Class vs. Port State Detention: What’s the Difference?

Though both result in a ship being detained, their triggering criteria, consequences, and resolutions differ substantially.

⚖️ Class Detention:

• Issued by Classification Society

• Focused on technical, structural, and class rule compliance

• May lead to withdrawal of class, suspension of certificates

• Resolution requires rectification + verification by class surveyor

🛳 PSC Detention:

• Issued by Port State Control authority

• Based on IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC, etc.)

• Typically a statutory issue, like crew certification or pollution control

• Resolution involves port clearance and flag state approval

🔁 In some cases, one leads to the other. A failed class survey can trigger a PSC inspection — and vice versa.

📉 Impact on Operations and Reputation

A class-related detention is not just a technical hiccup — it’s a commercial liability.

🔍 Immediate consequences:

• ❌ Charter cancellation or delay penalties

• ❌ Loss of insurance if class is suspended (especially H&M and P&I)

• ❌ Disruption to voyage planning and port schedules

• ❌ Reputational harm among charterers, banks, and brokers

• ❌ Scrutiny from flag state and PSC, leading to multiple audits

📊 In S&P or financing discussions, a history of class detentions can significantly affect valuation and lender confidence.

🧯 Fast Response: How to Resolve Class Detentions Efficiently

Time is money — especially when your ship is idle. Once class has detained a vessel, the priority is to rectify, verify, and reinstate.

🛠 Resolution roadmap:

1. Identify exact non-compliance cause with the class surveyor

2. Develop and submit a repair plan, including timelines and locations

3. Mobilize certified contractors to carry out repairs under class supervision

4. Undergo reinspection for final approval and reinstatement of class

5. Update stakeholders — including flag, charterer, and insurer — on status

💡 Tip:

Keep documentation sharp. A clean paper trail (repair reports, survey logs, approvals) helps speed reacceptance and avoid further inspections.

🔍 Proactive Prevention: Class-Friendly Maintenance Practices

The best way to handle a class detention? Never let it happen in the first place. That’s easier said than done — but regular discipline and planning go a long way.

✅ Preventative best practices:

• 📆 Stay ahead of surveys: Use digital tools to track class deadlines and plan yard time

• 🔍 Pre-inspection walk-throughs: Before major surveys, conduct internal audits with your technical team

• 🧾 Fix Conditions of Class early: Don’t wait for deadlines; early action shows credibility

• 💬 Maintain open dialogue with class: Seek advice on damage reporting or repair scope

• 🧰 Log all maintenance activities: Especially related to hull integrity, safety systems, and propulsion

📱 New tools like digital twin models and predictive maintenance analytics are being integrated to support smarter inspection planning.

⚓ Case Example: A Tale of Two Ships

Let’s look at two similar vessels—and two very different outcomes.

🚢 Vessel A – Proactive, Class-Engaged

• Flagged minor hull deformation early

• Informed class and scheduled underwater inspection

• Carried out pre-survey with class presence

• Cleared Condition of Class before due date

Result:

No detentions, smooth trading, strong reputation with charterers

🚢 Vessel B – Reactive, Delay-Oriented

• Ignored class memo on overdue CoC

• Attempted to delay drydock beyond agreed window

• Detained in port, lost charter, class suspended

Result:

12-day delay, loss of earnings, underwriter penalties

🎯 Lesson:

Your vessel’s standing with class is part of your brand—and your business model.

📦 Conclusion: Treat Class Like a Partner, Not Just a Policeman

Classification Societies aren’t out to punish owners. They exist to safeguard maritime safety, structural integrity, and commercial trust. But when ignored or treated as a rubber stamp, they can become a barrier to operation.

The smartest operators treat class as an ongoing partner — engaging early, fixing issues fast, and demonstrating a culture of compliance.

In an era of ESG scrutiny, charterer expectations, and rising insurance standards, class detentions are more than technical glitches — they’re a signal of how well a shipowner runs their fleet.

Key Takeaways 🎯

• ⚠️ Common class detention causes include survey delays, damage concealment, and unresolved CoCs

• 🛑 Class detentions differ from PSC detentions in focus, authority, and consequence

• 📉 Detentions impact insurance, chartering, flag status, and S&P credibility

• 🧯 Rapid resolution depends on transparency, certified repairs, and smart documentation

• 🔍 Prevention through proactive maintenance is the ultimate strategy

👇 Have you ever faced a class-related detention or resolved one quickly?

What strategies helped you avoid or fix the issue?

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments — I look forward to the exchange!

---

---