Port State Control (PSC)
It is the inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify that the condition of the ship and its equipment comply with the requirements of international regulations and that the ship is manned and operated in compliance with these rules.
Why PSC?
- Many of 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.
- These inspections were originally intended to be a back up to flag State implementation, but experience has shown that they can be extremely effective.
- The Organization adopted resolution A.682(17) on Regional co-operation in the control of ships and discharges promoting the conclusion of regional agreements.
- A ship going to a port in one country will normally visit other countries in the region and it can, therefore, be more efficient if inspections can be closely coordinated in order to focus on substandard ships and to avoid multiple inspections.
Inspection based what?
• The Fundamental aim of Port State Control is to eliminate Sub-standard ships in order to ensure safer ships and cleaner oceans. The main philosophy to the port state control is to identify sub-standard ships at any port and corrective action is taken before they are allowed to proceed to sail. Provision for control emanates from the following IMO instruments:-
• Reg. 19 – Chapter 1 of SOLAS Convention 1974 as amended.
• International Convention of Load Line 1966 & its Protocol.
• International Convention for Prevention of Marine Pollution from ships (MARPOL)
73/78.
• International Convention of STCW 1978 as amended.
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at sea (COLREG) 1972.
• International Labour Organization (ILO) convention No. 14
