Published: November 2021
This new publication focussed specifically on Port State Control aims to improve the performance of all ship types, not just tankers, by bringing into one document the information on different PSC regimes, their processes as well as guidance produced by INTERTANKO’s Vetting Committee.
This publication and the guidance it provides will give ships’ crews and shore-based personnel a better understanding of PSC systems and will help them prepare for inspections and reduce the number of deficiencies that could lead to detention.
Port State Control (PSC) is the inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify that the condition of the ship and its equipment complies with the requirements of international regulations, and that the ship is manned and operated in compliance with these rules. Many of the IMO’s most important technical conventions contain provisions for ships to be inspected when they visit foreign ports to ensure that they meet IMO requirements. The responsibility for ships’ standards rests with owners, Class Societies and the Flag State – but Port State Control (PSC) provides a "safety net" to identify substandard ships which experience has shown to be extremely effective.
The first PSC agreement to identify and exclude substandard ships was drafted after the Amoco Cadiz incident in March 1978 and resulted in the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which came into effect in Europe in 1982. There are now nine regional agreements on Port State Control in effect, which cover Europe and the north Atlantic (Paris MoU); Asia and the Pacific (Tokyo MoU); Latin America (Acuerdo de Viña del Mar); the Caribbean (Caribbean MoU); West and Central Africa (Abuja MoU); the Black Sea region (Black Sea MoU); the Mediterranean (Mediterranean MoU); the Indian Ocean (Indian Ocean MoU); and the Persian Gulf (Riyadh MoU). The United States Coast Guard maintain the tenth PSC regime.
The shipping industry has made considerable progress and continues to do so, but incidents show that there are still ships that slip through the net. It is these ships that PSC targets through sharing of data and improved training of inspectors to strengthen their abilities and better direct their efforts.
INTERTANKO’s Membership has long recognised the value of well-operated and maintained tankers and has developed criteria to ensure its own quality standards. Alongside the Membership criteria, the Association and its Vetting Committee have supported owners through the production of a Guide to the Vetting Process which includes advice on both the PSC and commercial vetting processes for tankers.
Contents
Foreword
Introduction, Scope and Background to PSC
Geographical Overview of the Port State Control Regions Overview of MoUs’ Activity and Procedures
Port State Control Inspections Types of Inspections Initial Inspection
Clear Grounds
More Detailed Inspections Expanded Inspection
Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) The PSC Inspections Process
The Port State Control Process PSC Inspection Reports Suspension of an Inspection
Professional Qualifications and Conduct of PSCOs
Deficiencies and Detentions Deficiencies Detentions
Detention Appeals
Various Categories of Deficiencies Recorded in Each Regional PSC MoUs
General Guide for Masters Preparation for a PSC Inspection The PSC Inspection Process Concluding an Inspection
A Guide for Masters – USCG Visits Certificate of Compliance Inspections QUALSHIP 21 and E-Zero Designation
Guidance for Companies Facilitation Payments OCIMF PSC Repository
Port State Control Inspection Feedback System Questionnaire Port State Control Inspection Feedback Forms
Selection of Ships for Port State Control
Targeting Factors Overriding Factors
Port State Control and Regional MoUs
Detention Appeal and Review Procedures Appendices
INTERTANKO Vessel & PSC Inspection Feedback Systems EQUASIS
Guidelines for Port State Control Related to the ISM Code PSC Codes for Deficiencies / Detentions
Port State Control and Regional MoUs
Report of Inspection in Accordance with IMO Port State Control Procedures (Form A)*
Report of Inspection in Accordance with IMO Port State Control Procedures (Form B)
