Port State Control

Apart from helping Members to avoid adverse PSC records and detentions of their ships that cause extensive detrimental impact on the commercial viability of a ship, the aim is for the worldwide tanker fleet to build on its current reputation of performing better than other shipping sectors. Through this, the tanker fleet helps contribute to the worldwide effort to eliminate substandard shipping and encouraging port state control resources to be devoted to other high-risk ships.

Various international conventions allow a Port State to conduct an inspection of a foreign ship entering its ports for the purpose of verifying that the ship is in compliance with the applicable international requirements. When significant deficiencies are found during a Port State Control inspection, the ship may be detained in that port until the deficiencies are corrected. The US Coast Guard conducts these Port State Control inspections in the US. A Port State Control Memorandum of Understanding (PSC MOU) has been established   in various other regions of the world (eg, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Black Sea, etc.) for the purpose of conducting these inspections for countries in these regions.

INTERTANKO represents its Members at various IMO committee meetings which aim at continuously harmonising PSC inspection requirements to new and updated rules and regulations. INTERTANKO further engages with the PSC MoUs to make sure that Members’ interests are taken into account. Where possible, information on developments in regions or countries, e.g. Concentrated Inspection Campaigns, are exchanged and shared amongst Members.

For the most part, Port State Control inspections are fair and conducted in accordance with the convention requirements. However, there have been occasions where a ship has been unjustly detained as a result of a Port State Control inspection. If such an incident were to occur on a Member’s tanker, INTERTANKO works on behalf of that Member to have the matter rectified as soon as possible and the detention removed.

INTERTANKO encourages its Members to share experience following a PSC detention or issuance of unjustified observations aiming to formulate a proactive approach and set out actions for reoccurrence avoidance. INTERTANKO provides a means of reporting these concerns through feedback systems for commercial ship-vessel inspections and for Port State Control (PSC) Inspections.

This reporting system enables INTERTANKO Members to provide feedback on inspector behaviour and allows INTERTANKO to raise these concerns confidentially with relevant PSC authorities as appropriate. The objective of providing such a platform for Members to provide feedback confidentially is to ensure continuous improvement of ship inspections as well as the overall inspection procedures.