The Analysis of Ship Sanitation Certificates Issued at Kaohsiung Port during 2011-2012

Tzu-Yi Lee^＊, Hui-Chen Lin, Feng-Shun Hsu, Chiou-Yueh You, Chao-Ching Chang

2015 Vol.31 NO.2

Correspondence Author： Tzu-Yi Lee

Abstract：

      According to the International Health Regulations 2005, all ships on international voyages are required to have a valid ship sanitation certificate for the prevention and control of public health risks on board. The Kaohsiung port with more than 17,000 vessels visiting annually, as the biggest port in Taiwan, is actively promoted by the government as a transshipment shipping center for the Asia Pacific region and as a center for global commercial logistics management and free port. Faced with public health risks which vessels may carry, the good sanitation management from ship owners is more efficient for prevention of public health concerns than just sanitation inspection with health education for certificate renewal.
      To realize the probable biological public health risks on board ships visiting the Kaohsiung port, we analyzed the issuance of ship sanitation certificates during 2011-2012 in Kaohsiung port, and found the most ships in worse sanitation conditions were oil tankers, especially those whose gross tonnage below 5000 tons.
      We should have a comprehensive criterion in policy and practice to strike the balance between economic development and public health.