Revised Port State Control procedures will enter into force in January 2024

The 9th session of the Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) finalized draft amendments to the Procedures for Port State Control (A.1155(32)) at its meeting from July 31 to August 4, 2023.

These amendments include guidelines regarding the detention of ships under MARPOL Annex VI.

The revised Guidelines are set to be adopted during Assembly 33 in December 2023 and will become effective on January 1, 2024.

The amendments cover several areas, including:

• The inclusion of the absence of valid required Statements of Compliance for Carbon Intensity Rating from 2023 onwards as a detainable deficiency (Regulation 28).
• Clarifications regarding port State control officers' (PSCOs) approach when a ship changes flag or company, and evidence shows that the losing Administration did not comply with regulations or data was not provided during the ship transfer.
• Consideration of an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) failing to meet MARPOL Annex VI, regulations 14 and 14.4 as a detainable deficiency for ships equipped with an equivalent means of SOx compliance (EGCS).
• Consideration of fuel oil with sulfur content exceeding MARPOL Annex VI regulation 14 limits in combustion units not connected to the EGCS as a detainable deficiency.