Discussion on Maritime Shipping Port Inspection Rules
Update to Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Regulations Announced
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has unveiled plans for a revised set of Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Regulations. The proposed changes aim to ensure the UK's Port State Control (PSC) regime remains compatible with international maritime standards and continues to adhere to global safety and pollution prevention protocols.
The proposed Regulations will revise and update the existing 2011 Regulations, removing all references to EU legislation and incorporating wording directly from the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This move is intended to address legislative gaps that emerged after the UK left the EU, ensuring the UK continues to comply with international maritime safety standards.
The changes are also designed to integrate the UK’s PSC regime with internationally recognized frameworks, notably the Paris MoU wording. This integration is expected to preserve effective inspection and control standards comparable to other leading maritime nations, thereby maintaining the UK's status on key PSC White Lists such as Paris and Tokyo MoUs.
In addition to these updates, the proposed Regulations will revise the existing rules and references within the PSC regime. The revisions will be based on the Paris MoU's wording, ensuring a consistent approach in the UK's PSC regime.
The MCA will continue its role as the UK Flag State Administration, retaining responsibility for auditing and assessing UK shipping companies and ships against international safety standards such as the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. This includes procedural updates like requiring UK-flagged vessel owners to report their details and delegated operational entities via prescribed forms to ensure accurate oversight.
The changes also facilitate better alignment with international conventions that govern ballast water management and other safety-related areas, supporting the implementation of campaigns and standards aimed at reducing detainable deficiencies during PSC inspections.
In summary, these reforms are designed to modernize the UK’s maritime regulatory framework to remain aligned with global best practices, ensure smooth operation within international port state control regimes, and uphold the UK's reputation as a quality flag state. The proposed Regulations do not include any new advertisements or unnecessary information, and the MCA encourages all stakeholders to participate in the consultation process to ensure the final Regulations meet the needs of the maritime industry.
[1] Maritime and Coastguard Agency [2] Paris MoU [3] International Maritime Organization
- To ensure the UK's PSC regime remains compatible with international maritime standards in various sectors, the proposed Regulations will incorporate wording from the Paris MoU, which governs the aerospace and finance industries, as well as transportation and shipping.
- In alignment with global best practices and international conventions, the proposed Regulations will revise the UK's Port State Control regime based on the Paris MoU's wording, aiming to maintain the UK's status as a quality flag state in the industry.
