Port state control: the MoUs and how ships are targeted
1The lesson in plain words
Port states cooperate in regional MoUs. A risk profile decides how often your ship is inspected, and repeated detentions can ban her.
Why ports inspect
Port state control (PSC) is the inspection of foreign ships in a state's ports to check that they meet the conventions. Its legal basis is the port state's sovereignty over its ports and the PSC clauses in each convention. The IMO's 2023 procedures are in resolution A.1185(33), the Procedures for Port State Control 2023. PSC is a safety net behind the flag state, not a replacement for it.
The MoUs
Port states work together in regional memoranda of understanding (MoUs). Members share inspection records and coordinate targeting within each regional regime. The Paris MoU (1982) covers Europe and the North Atlantic. The Tokyo MoU covers Asia-Pacific. Others are the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caribbean, Abuja (West and Central Africa), Riyadh (Gulf) and Viña del Mar (Latin America) MoUs. The US Coast Guard runs its own programme.
Ship risk profile
Under the Paris MoU's New Inspection Regime (NIR), in use since 2011, each ship has a ship risk profile recalculated daily: high, standard or low risk. It weighs ship type and age; performance of the flag, company and recognised organisation (RO), an authorised body acting for the flag; and 36-month deficiency and detention history. Periodic inspection windows are 5–6 months for high-risk ships, 10–12 for standard and 24–36 for low.
Inspection priority
A ship past her periodic inspection window, or with an overriding factor such as a collision, is Priority I and must be inspected. Inside her window she is Priority II and may be inspected. Unexpected factors, such as a pilot's safety report, can also trigger selection.
Inspection types
An initial inspection checks certificates, documents and overall condition. Clear grounds, evidence that the ship or crew may not meet requirements, lead to a more detailed inspection of suspect areas. An expanded inspection covers prescribed risk areas in greater depth. Due periodic inspections are expanded for high-risk ships of any age, and for oil, gas and chemical tankers, bulk carriers and passenger ships over 12 years old.
Lists and bans
Paris MoU white, grey and black flag lists apply from 1 July, using three-year inspection and detention records. Access is refused after a third Paris-region detention within 36 months for black-list flags or 24 months for grey-list flags. Bans last at least 3 months, then 12 months. A third refusal is permanent unless strict lifting conditions are met after at least 24 months. Any detention following the third refusal leads to permanent refusal.
2Key data
- IMO PSC procedures
- Resolution A.1185(33), 2023
- Paris MoU windows
- High risk 5–6, standard 10–12, low 24–36 months
- Tokyo MoU windows
- High risk 2–4, standard 5–8, low 9–18 months
- Expanded inspection
- High-risk ships; tankers, bulkers, passenger ships over 12 years
- Paris MoU ban trigger
- Paris-region detentions: black >2/36 months; grey >2/24
- Ban durations
- Minimum 3, then 12 months; third ≥24 if liftable, else permanent
3Key points
- 1
PSC is a safety net behind the flag; IMO's 2023 procedures are A.1185(33).
- 2
Nine regional MoUs coordinate inspections; the US Coast Guard runs a separate programme.
- 3
The ship risk profile (high, standard, low) sets the inspection window.
- 4
Flag lists run from 1 July; repeated detentions lead to refusal of access.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: A low-risk ship cannot be inspected inside her window.
Right: She can still be inspected as Priority II, or must be if an overriding factor applies.
Wrong: Port state control replaces the flag's surveys.
Right: PSC is a safety net. The flag state remains responsible for surveys and certificates.
5Practice case & exam keys
Your 14-year-old bulk carrier has a grey-list flag and a periodic inspection due at Antwerp. She was detained in Rotterdam 20 months ago and Hamburg 8 months ago, with no previous access ban. What is at stake?
Show the answer
The due periodic inspection must be expanded because she is a bulk carrier over 12. These facts do not establish her live risk profile; check it. A detention now would be her third Paris-region detention within 24 months. With a grey-list flag and no previous ban, this triggers refusal of access for at least 3 months, subject to lifting conditions.
Exam keys
- PSC basis: port sovereignty and convention clauses; IMO 2023 procedures A.1185(33).
- MoUs: Paris, Tokyo, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caribbean, Abuja, Riyadh, Viña del Mar; USCG.
- Paris NIR: risk profile; windows 5–6, 10–12, 24–36 months; Priority I and II.
- Paris flag lists from 1 July; refusal after repeated Paris-region detentions, with minimum periods and lifting conditions.
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