Guidelines for Port State Control Inspections at Indian ports

The Directorate General of Shipping, India has published a merchant shipping notice for Port State Control (PSC) inspections of foreign-flagged vessels visiting Indian ports.

This notice was published on 30 January 2024.

The notice clarifies the legal basis and necessity for Port State Control (PSC) inspections, which allow coastal/port state authorities to physically examine foreign-flagged vessels when they voluntarily visit ports, anchorages, or offshore installations. These inspections ensure compliance with international rules and standards established by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and conventions like SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), and STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers).

India, as a member of the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding (IOMoU), is obligated to enforce PSC regimes to uphold maritime safety and environmental protection standards. The notice emphasizes the importance of continuously updating and implementing the latest developments in PSC regulations to enhance maritime safety, protect the marine environment, and improve living and working conditions aboard ships.

Also, it emphasizes the role of regional agreements, such as the IOMoU, in providing detailed procedures for implementing PSC regimes. The notice also highlights the responsibility of the Indian Administration to conduct thorough PSC inspections periodically, either annually or biennially, to ensure compliance with international guidelines and practices.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Port State Control (PSC) Inspections of Foreign Flag Vessels Visiting Indian Ports