Enhancing transparency in Port State Control through an updated data-exchange agreement

A key step to enhance transparency and cooperation in Port State Control (PSC) took place at IMO Headquarters in London (26 February), with the signing of an updated data-exchange agreement between IMO and the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU).

The agreement was formalized by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and Paris MoU Secretary-General Mr. Luc Smulders. The signing strengthens global cooperation and improves information sharing, helping to make ship inspections more effective worldwide.

This marks the sixth updated agreement concluded with a regional PSC regime. Similar agreements were signed in 2025 with the Secretariats of the Abuja, Indian Ocean, Tokyo, Mediterranean and Riyadh MoUs. The updated agreements extended PSC data to full ship's PSC inspection data on the basis of the existing agreements with PSC regimes to enhance PSC inspection data integrity and transparency.

Reinforcing the global PSC framework

PSC regimes are cooperative regional frameworks through which national maritime authorities inspect foreign-flagged ships visiting their ports to verify compliance with internationally agreed safety, security and environmental standards adopted under IMO instruments.

The updated agreements support the continued development of the PSC module within IMO's Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), including its integrated PSC database and potential associated web services. This allows full ship's inspection data to be shared more efficiently on behalf of Member States.

The PSC module collects and displays inspection data submitted by PSC MoUs and Agreement, supporting Member States in implementing IMO instruments and fulfilling reporting obligations. It also enables flag States to comment on inspection reports concerning their ships, contributing to transparency and due process.

By enhancing coordination among PSC regimes, the updated agreements benefit stakeholders, support harmonization of PSC activities worldwide and improve compliance monitoring by port States.

Global network of PSC regimes

There are currently ten PSC regimes worldwide: eight regional Memoranda of Understanding, one regional Agreement, and the United States Coast Guard as the tenth regime. These include: Europe and the North Atlantic (Paris MoU); Asia and the Pacific (Tokyo MoU); Latin America (Acuerdo de Viña del Mar); Caribbean region (Caribbean MoU); West and Central Africa (Abuja MoU); Black Sea (Black Sea MoU); Mediterranean Sea (Mediterranean MoU); Indian Ocean (Indian Ocean MoU); and Persian Gulf (Riyadh MoU), and the United States Coast Guard.

Some Member States participate in more than one PSC regime. All regional PSC regimes hold observer status at IMO as intergovernmental organizations (IGOs).