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PORT STATE CONTROL

Aims of Port State Control

All countries have the right to inspect ships of foreign
flags visiting their ports to ensure that they meet IMO
requirements regarding safety and marine pollution
prevention standards.

Port State Control is intended as a tool for any

country to
control safety standards, safeguard the own
territory against hazards to safety and the
environment and
keep substandard ships off their coast.

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 Flag State and owner has

primary responsibility for
vessel’s safety

 Every Nation has a sovereign

right to territorial jurisdiction

 Port States do not wish sub-

standard ships to endanger
their waters
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 Flag states failed to exercise control on maintenance

of their ships.

 Spate of accidents culminating in Amoco Cadiz

grounding

 Hague Memorandum 02 March 1978 – between 8

states

 Paris MOU – 14 states - 1982

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Since 1982 various countries have agreed within certain

areas in the world to co-operate with PSC and have
signed an agreement called

"MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) ON

PORT STATE CONTROL“

The agreement establishes rules for

training of the inspectors,
inspections on a common scope, amount of
inspections per year
general agreements on clear grounds for detaining a
ship,
a database system for exchanging information about
inspected ships
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 Adopted in Dec 2019

 Provides procedures for uniform exercise of PSC

 Encourages a regional approach

 Coastal states to adopt into its National legislation

PSC procedures apply to ships falling under the provisions of:

o the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as
amended (SOLAS);
o the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention for
the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS Protocol 1988);
o the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (Load Lines);
o the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on
Load Lines, 1966 (Load Lines Protocol 1988);
o the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocols of 1978 and 1997
relating thereto, as amended (MARPOL);
o the International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended
(STCW);
o the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships,
1969 (Tonnage); and
o the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-
Fouling Systems on Ships (AFS),

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LEGAL POWERS OF A PSCO

SHIP ARREST - requires Court order

- Release can be secured by P & I putting
up a bank guarantee

PSC - Sole discretion of PSCO

DETENTION
- Release cannot be secured by
putting up activities

 PSCO’s powers derive solely from the sovereign state’s

National Legislation.

Scope of Port State Control Inspections

 Based on I.M.O. Resolution A.1138 – Procedures for Port

State Control, 2019

 UNCLOS Art 25 and 219 allows a sovereign state to take

appropriate measures to prevent unsafe vessels from
sailing from their ports.

 SOLAS Chap.I Reg. 19 provides specific powers to

exercise PSC.

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Concentrated Inspection Campaigns

 Inspection carried out on specific areas where high level of

deficiencies encountered by PSCOs.

 When new convention requirements have recently

entered into force.

 Announced well in advance & concentrated over a period

of three months.

 A checklist prepared for the campaign is used by PSCO.

 A CIC can be carried out on a vessel irrespective of the

date of last PSC inspection.
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Concentrated Inspection Campaigns

 During last years the main PSC regions have agreed to

carry out such Campaign simultaneously.

 However, in 2010 the main PSC regions decided not to

carry out a CIC with the same scope, but with various
scopes per region.

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Inspection Interval

 Generally Six monthly (with no outstanding

deficiencies from last inspection) – Also see
notes on LRS/SRS/HRS – NIR New Inspection
Regime

 Interval less than six months, when ship moving

between Port state regions

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Detailed Inspection
 Overriding factors (Ship reported, Outstanding
deficiencies) allow PSCO to go for Detailed
inspection.

 Evidence of major problem with ship, crew or its

operation during Initial Inspection

 Clear ground for Detailed inspection

 Concentrated Inspection campaign

 Expanded Inspection Programme

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Have you been targeted?

 In case the ship has been targeted, the inspection

may be more detailed or if

 The inspector has “clear grounds” for a detailed

inspection

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Clear grounds for more detailed

Inspection

 During the Initial Inspection, if PSCO found evidence

of Ship, its equipment or Crew did not follow the
requirements of relevant conventions

 Master or crew member not familiar with Shipboard

operational procedures related to Safety of ship or
Pollution Prevention

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Clear Grounds - examples

 Inaccuracy in the certificate

 Oil record book not maintained properly

 Poor communication between officers

 Cargo work or Bunkering not conducted safely

 Absence of Muster list, Fire control plan or Damage

control plan

 Excessively unsanitary condition on board

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Clear Grounds

 Serious hull or structural deterioration or deficiencies

 Risk to watertight integrity

 Survey report file (not up to date or missing)

 Ship’s log book falsely maintained or not maintained

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More Detailed Inspection

 In depth inspection covering Ship’s

 construction, Equipment, Manning, Living and Working
condition and
 compliance with On board operational procedures.

 To establish the real condition where doubt exist

 Can involve more than one PSCO as per extent of

Inspection

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Inspection Process
 Initially focus only on areas of original concern

 Often expanded to check essential shipboard

operations
 Check list used by PSCO

 Inspection should not delay or impose undue physical

demand on ship

 Master entitled to query excessive inspection

demands, interfering with running of ship

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Concentrated Inspection Campaigns

 Specific areas where high level of deficiencies

encountered by PSCOs

 New convention requirements recently entered into

force

 Announced well in advance

 Concentrated over a period of three months

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PSC
Inspection Criteria & Conduct

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‘Sub – Standard’
Standard’ ship

A ship whose hull, machinery, equipment or

operational safety is substantially below the
standards required by the relevant convention

or

whose crew is not in conformance with the safe

manning document

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 Each state applies its own formula

 Random selection

 Type of ship

 Boarding Matrix

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Inspection Criteria

1. Inspection Rates (No. of ships)

2. Target Factor (Age, Type, Flag, Class, Charterer,

Operator, History)

3. Expanded Inspection (Gas carriers, Tankers,

Passenger ships and Bulk carriers)

4. Concentrated Inspection Campaigns

5. Overriding factors (Reported, Outstanding

deficiencies, accident, non compliance with
regulations)  will lead to Detailed Inspection

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Criteria for selecting a Ship

General Inspections Specific Inspections

Inspection Targeting Expanded Concentrated Overriding

Rates Factors Inspections Inspection Factors
Campaigns

Owner/ Flag History Age

Operator
Ship Suspended
Reported from class
Charterer
Class Ship Type

Outstanding Operational
deficiencies concerns exist

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Inspection of Certificates

Preliminary Visual Inspection Good

Clear Grounds of not meeting the requirement substantially Conclude Inspection

Detailed Inspection few Prepare Report

deficiencies
Ships appears to be substandard
Disembark
Rectify
Expanded Inspection
Deficiencies
Grounds for Detention
Detention Report
Detention

Rectify Deficiencies
Inform IMO
Re-inspect
Owner Flag State
Sail
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Inspection Process

Initial Inspection More Detailed

Inspection

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Initial Inspection
With favorable first impression, initial
inspection is limited to …

checking the Ship’s certificate and Manning

arrangements.

walk around the ship to check the ship

confirms to conditions required by the
certificates issued.

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Certificate check
 All certificates on board

 Certificates up to date and correctly endorsed

 Any Overdue survey

 Issued by Recognized organization

 Oil and Garbage record book

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Manning arrangement
Safe manning certificate

Original Crew certificate

Medical certificates

Minimum rest period applied

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ISM code
 Company SEP Policy

 SMS documentation

 ISM certificates (With Interim certificate, close

examination to verify the functioning of SMS)

 DOC (Ship Type covered)

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Walk around
 Visual signs to see the use and testing of equipments

 Conditions or statements conflicting with documents

 Looking for ‘Clear grounds’

 Living and working conditions on board (Food, Potable

water, Stores, Galley, Ventilation, Lighting, Heating,
Medical, PPE)

 SOPEP, OWS and Garbage arrangements

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Walk around
 Exposed deck (Plating, Bulwark, Rails, Leakages, Vents
and recent weldings)

 Cargo handling gear

 Navigation & radio equipments (Bridge visibility, reserve

batteries, Fire alarm & detection system)

 LSA & FFA

 Machinery space (Escape routes, Lighting, Generators)

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Detailed Inspection
 Overriding factors allow PSCO to go for Detailed
inspection.

 Evidence of major problem with ship, crew or its

operation during Initial Inspection

 ‘Clear ground’ for Detailed inspection

 Concentrated Inspection campaign

 Expanded Inspection Programme

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Clear grounds
 Under the MOUs, the “clear grounds” justifying the
undertaking of further inspections are defined as;

 a report or notification by another authority;

 a report or complaint by the master, a crew member, or any

person or organization with a legitimate interest in the safe
operation of the ship, the shipboard living and working
conditions, or the prevention of pollution, unless the
authority deems the report or complaint to be manifestly
unfounded; and

 other indications which may warrant a more detailed or an

expanded inspection.

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Clear grounds

 Second series of specific “clear grounds” concerning the

compliance of vessels with on-board operational
requirements.

 Evidence of operational shortcomings revealed during port

state control procedures in accordance with the 1974 SOLAS
Convention, MARPOL 73/78, and the 1978 STCW Convention.

 Evidence of cargo and other operations not being conducted

safely or in accordance with IMO guidelines (Oxygen content
in IG to cargo tanks is above the prescribed maximum level).

 Involvement of the ship in incidents due to failure to comply

with operational requirements.

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Clear grounds

 Evidence, from the witnessing of a fire or

abandoned ship drill, that the crew are not familiar
with essential procedures.

 Absence of up-to-date muster list.

 Indications that the relevant crew members are

unable to communicate appropriately with each
other, or with other persons on board.

 The ship is unable to communicate with the shore-

based authorities in a common language.

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Clear grounds for more detailed

Inspection

 Ship, its equipment or Crew did not follow the

requirements of relevant conventions.

 Master or crew member not familiar with Shipboard

operational procedures related to Safety of ship or
Pollution Prevention.

 Failure of master on an Oil tanker to produce the

records of ODMCS for last ballast voyage.

 The emission of false distress alert not followed by

proper cancellation procedure.
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Clear Grounds
 Inaccuracy in the certificate

 Oil record book not maintained properly

 Poor communication between officers

 Cargo work or Bunkering not conducted safely

 Absence of Muster list, Fire control plan or Damage

control plan

 Excessively unsanitary condition on board

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Clear Grounds

Serious hull or structural deterioration or

deficiencies

Risk to watertight integrity

Survey report file (not up to date or missing)

Ship’s log book falsely maintained or not

maintained

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More Detailed Inspection

In depth inspection covering Ship’s

construction, Equipment, Manning, Living and
Working condition and compliance with On
board operational procedures.

To establish the real condition where doubt

exists.

Can involve more than one PSCO as per

extent of Inspection.
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Detailed Inspection Process

Initially focus only on areas of original

concern.

Often expanded to check essential shipboard

operations

Detailed inspection check list used by PSCO.

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Detailed Inspection Process

Inspection should not delay or impose undue

physical demand on ship.

Master entitled to query excessive inspection

demands, interfering with running of ship.

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Expanded Inspections

1. Expanded Inspections carried as a follow up

to more detailed inspection when the ship
appears to be sub-standard.

2. Mandatory Expanded Inspection 

Applicable to certain types of ships on the
basis of age ( in EU – once every 12 months)

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Mandatory Expanded Inspections

 Gas and chemical tankers of over 10 years of age

 Bulk carriers of over 12 years of age

 Oil tankers of over 3000 gt and of over 15 years of

age

 Passenger ships of over 15 years of age (with the

exception of ro-ro ferries and high-speed craft).

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Mandatory Expanded Inspection

Vessels to which expanded inspection is
applicable must give three days advance notice of
expected time of arrival to the port state control
authority of the MOU port at which the inspection
is due.

Length of call and planned operations such as

unloading or repair work.

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Expanded Inspection Process

 Subject to practical feasibility and safety constraints,
expanded inspection:

 of an oil tanker may include at least one ballast

tank

 on a passenger ship, attention will be given to a fire

drill and the lowering of at least one lifeboat.

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SHIPS IN GENERAL – What is inspected ?

 Black-out and start of emergency generator

 Inspection of emergency lighting

 Operation of emergency fire pump with two fire

hoses connected to the fire main-line

 Operation of bilge pumps

 Closing of watertight doors

 Lowering of one seaside lifeboat to the water 49

SHIPS IN GENERAL – What is inspected ?

Lowering of one side lifeboat to water

Test of remote emergency stop  Boilers, ventilation

and fuel pumps

Testing of steering gear including auxiliary steering gear

Inspection of emergency source of power to radio

installations

OWS test

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COMPLIANCE WITH THE ISM

CODE
Company SEP policy

Safety management documentation (e.g.

manual) readily available

SMS in a working language

“Designated person ashore”

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COMPLIANCE WITH THE ISM

CODE

 Procedures in place for establishing and maintaining

contact with shore management in an emergency

 Programmes for drills and exercises to prepare for

emergency actions

 Non-conformities been reported to the Company and

has corrective action been taken by the Company

 Maintenance routine and records

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OIL TANKERS

 Fixed-deck foam system

 Fire – fighting equipment in general

 Inspection of fire dampers to engine room,

pump room and accommodation

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Oil Tankers

 Control of pressure of inert gas and oxygen

content thereof

 Check of the Survey Report File to identify

possible suspect areas requiring inspection

 Ballast tank Inspection

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Bulk Carriers
 Corrosion of deck machinery foundation.
 Corrosion or wastage of weather tight doors and
closing devices.
 Cracks in deck plates / hatch coaming bracket toes.
 Corrosion of pipes & ventilators.
 Cracking of bulwark stay.
 Deformation and / or corrosion of hatch covers.
 Buckling of cross decks between hatches
 Access to cargo holds.
 Check of the Survey Report File to identify possible
suspect areas requiring inspection.

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Gas & Chemical Tankers

 Cargo tank monitoring and safety devices relating to
temperature, pressure and ullage.

 Oxygen analyzer and explosimeter devices

Calibration / Availability of chemical detection
equipment (bellows) with an appropriate number of
suitable gas detection tubes for the specific cargo being
carried.

 Cabin escape sets giving suitable respiratory and eye

protection, for every person on board (if required by the
product listed on the International Certificate of Fitness
or Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous
Chemicals in Bulk or Liquefied Gases in Bulk as
applicable).
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Gas & Chemical Tankers

 Check that the product being carried is listed in the

International Certificate of Fitness or Certificate of
Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in
Bulk or Liquefied Gases in Bulk as applicable.

 The fixed fire fighting installations on deck whether

they be foam or dry chemical or other as required
by the product carried.

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