(www.MaritimeCyprus.com)Â Port State Control inspections have proven to be an effective tool for eliminating substandard vessels that may be in operation, which may impact maritime safety and the marine environment.
A ship is regarded as substandard if the hull, machinery, equipment or operational safety and the protection of the environment is substantially below the standards required by the relevant conventions or if the crew is not in conformity with the safe manning document.
Evidence that the ship, its equipment, or its crew do not comply substantially with the requirements of the relevant conventions or that the master or crew members are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to the safety of ships or the prevention of pollution may be clear grounds for the PSC inspector to conduct a more detailed inspection. Good ship and crew preparation is always essential, in keeping up to date with all International, National and Port State requirements. Having a checklist goes a long way.
This Report on Port State Control (PSC) provides information to Owners/Managers on deficiencies identified during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the 2nd Quarter of 2026.
Detention activity in Q2 2026 was concentrated overwhelmingly in the Tokyo MoU and, geographically, in China, underscoring continued PSC exposure in the Asia-Pacific region. Across the Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU and USCG regimes reviewed in this report, 69 detention cases were
recorded involving vessels for which ABS served as the RO, representing 68 unique vessels.
The detention profile points to recurring operational weaknesses rather than isolated issues. Fire safety deficiencies remained the leading theme, with International Safety Management (ISM) Code and maintenancerelated findings and machinery deficiencies prominently featured. Additional findings in pollution prevention, lifesaving appliances, emergency systems, navigation and documentation reinforce the importance of consistent onboard maintenance, equipment readiness and procedural implementation.
By vessel type, bulk carriers were the most represented segment, followed by containerships and oil and chemical tankers, with many cases involving vessels in the 11- to 20-year age range. With the upcoming CIC on cargo securing, the quarter’s results highlight the value of reviewing vessel-specific documentation, equipment condition, crew familiarity and supporting records ahead of inspection.
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