IMO and Paris MoU Strengthen Port State Control Transparency with Updated Data-Exchange Agreement
In a significant move to enhance Port State Control (PSC) transparency and cooperation, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) signed an updated data-exchange agreement at IMO Headquarters in London on 26 February.
The agreement, formalized by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and Paris MoU Secretary-General Luc Smulders, aims to strengthen global maritime cooperation and improve information sharing, making ship inspections more effective worldwide.
This marks the sixth updated agreement concluded with a regional PSC regime, following previous agreements in 2025 with the Abuja, Indian Ocean, Tokyo, Mediterranean, and Riyadh MoUs. The updated agreements expand PSC data coverage to full ship inspection records, ensuring greater PSC inspection data integrity and transparency across member states.
Reinforcing the Global PSC Framework
PSC regimes are cooperative regional frameworks where national maritime authorities inspect foreign-flagged ships visiting their ports to verify compliance with internationally agreed safety, security, and environmental standards under IMO instruments.
The updated agreements support the development of the PSC module within IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), including its integrated PSC database and web services. This enables efficient sharing of full ship inspection data, allowing flag states to review and comment on inspection reports, enhancing maritime transparency and due process.
By improving coordination among PSC regimes, these agreements benefit stakeholders, support the harmonization of PSC activities worldwide, and strengthen port state compliance monitoring.
Global Network of PSC Regimes
Currently, ten PSC regimes operate globally: eight regional Memoranda of Understanding, one regional Agreement, and the United States Coast Guard. These include the Paris MoU (Europe & North Atlantic), Tokyo MoU (Asia & Pacific), Acuerdo de Viña del Mar (Latin America), Caribbean MoU, Abuja MoU (West & Central Africa), Black Sea MoU, Mediterranean MoU, Indian Ocean MoU, Riyadh MoU (Persian Gulf), and the US Coast Guard.
Many member states participate in multiple PSC regimes, all of which hold observer status at IMO as intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). The updated agreements reinforce a global maritime compliance network, ensuring safer and more transparent shipping operations worldwide.
Source : International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Related:
- New IMO Shipping Regulations take effect from 1 January 2026
- IMO Secretary-General Sets Key Maritime Priorities for 2026
