Japan holds 19

Japanese port state control checks ended in detention for 19 ships during November, all general cargo vessels except for one reefer.

The 27,700–dwt multipurpose PAC Antares (built 2002), owned by Pacific Carriers, was held over its lifeboat engine for four days at Ishinomaki.

The 10,700–dwt Pioneer First (built 2004), owned by Toyo Kaiun, was detained due to its oily water separator. It spent two days at Chiba

And the 1,900-gt aggregates carrier Honour (built 1998), owned by Widex Shipping of China, had faults relating to its chain locker, the forecastle store and fire integrity. It was also leaking oil from the main engine.

By Gary Dixon in London