THE United States has named 15 countries whose ships will be targeted for increased safety inspections when in US waters.
The list was developed at the direction of Congress.
The countries are Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Belize, Peru, St Vincent and Grenadines, Ecuador, Venezuela, Honduras, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Malta, Vanuatu, Cyprus, India and the Bahamas.
The action, part of a US initiative which formally began on May 1, is designed to eliminate sub-standard foreign-flag ships from US waters.
The initiative grew out of concern over the threat posed to US ports and the environment by sub-standard foreign-flag shipping.
The initiative sets boarding priorities based on the performance records of shipowners, classification societies and flag states.