Port State control: preparation and detention criteria

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In 2025 the Paris MoU detained 688 ships after 16,474 inspections, a detention rate of 4.18%, up from 4.03% in 2024. In the Asia-Pacific region the Tokyo MOU detained 1,255 ships. Each detention means days lost, often an extra survey or audit, a black mark on the ship’s risk profile and on the flag’s and RO’s performance records, and sometimes a ban from a whole region’s ports.

Most detentions are not caused by exotic failures. The most frequent detainable deficiencies in the Tokyo MOU region in 2025 were fixed fire-extinguishing installations (215), ISM (200), lifeboats (152), ventilators, air pipes and casings (138) and fire pumps (118). These are items the crew can test, and a service provider can put right, before the ship arrives.

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In this lesson

Try it: Detention, rectify, or fine?
In plain words
In detail
What the rules say
Flag and class notes
Key numbers
What inspectors find
Questions people ask
Quiz: 7 questions

Sources

1 IMO Resolution A.1185(33), Procedures for Port State Control, 2023, chapters 1 to 3 and appendices 2 and 8 (the core chapters are unchanged in resolution A.1206(34), Procedures for Port State Control, 2025). https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/OurWork/IIIS/Documents/A%2033-Res.1185%20-%20PROCEDURES%20FOR%20PORT%20STATE%20CONTROL%2C%202023%20(Secretariat)%20(1).pdf
2 Tokyo MOU, Annual Report on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region 2025, foreword, CIC section, figures 7 and 8 and tables. https://www.tokyo-mou.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/ANN25.pdf
3 IMO Resolution A.1185(33), Procedures for Port State Control, 2023, appendix 8, paragraph 6.1.2.1. https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/OurWork/IIIS/Documents/A%2033-Res.1185%20-%20PROCEDURES%20FOR%20PORT%20STATE%20CONTROL%2C%202023%20(Secretariat)%20(1).pdf
4 Bahamas Maritime Authority, Technical Alert 26-04, IMO Procedures for Port State Control 2025 (3 March 2026). https://www.bahamasmaritime.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/TA004-IMO-Procedures-for-Port-State-Control-2025.pdf
5 Panama Maritime Authority, Merchant Marine Circular MMC-379, Procedure for Port State Control, 2025 amendments (resolution A.1206(34)), updated July 2026. https://www.panamashipregistry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MMC-379-Procedure-for-PSC-2025-30-07-2026.pdf
6 UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, MGN 711(M), The Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Regulations 2026, sections 4 to 9. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mgn-711-m-the-merchant-shipping-port-state-control-regulations-2026/mgn-711-m-the-merchant-shipping-port-state-control-regulations-2026
7 UK P&I Club, 2026 PSC CIC on Cargo Securing: key considerations for ship operators (joint Paris and Tokyo MoU campaign, 1 September to 30 November 2026). https://www.ukpandi.com/news-and-resources/news/article/2026-psc-cic-on-cargo-securing-key-considerations-for-ship-operators/
8 IIMS, Rising detention rates and recurring areas of concern in Paris MoU Annual Report 2025 (July 2026), summarising the Paris MoU Annual Report 2025. https://www.iims.org.uk/rising-detention-rates-and-recurring-areas-of-concern-in-paris-mou-annual-report-2025/

Free awareness training. Al Safwan Marine is not an approved training provider, so no certificate is given, and these courses are not a qualification. They don't replace STCW training, manufacturer training or the certification technicians need for this work. The manufacturer's manual and your flag's rules always come first.

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