Procedures for Port State Control 2025, 2026 Edition is the International Maritime Organization's guidance for port State control officers on how to inspect foreign ships. It sets out the procedures adopted by IMO Assembly resolution A.1206(34), so that inspections are carried out the same way in ports worldwide.

Edition at a glance

What's inside

• Port State inspections: initial inspection, clear grounds and more detailed inspection
• Deficiencies, detention and follow-up
• Reporting and the rights of the ship
• Appendices on specific conventions and areas of inspection

Key appendices

• Guidelines for the detention of ships (appendix 2): when deficiencies are grounds for detaining a ship
• Guidelines for port State control officers on security aspects (appendix 20)

Who uses it

Port State control officers and maritime administrations use it to run inspections. Masters, superintendents, designated persons and ship managers use it to prepare for them and to know what can lead to a detention. Many operators also use it as a checklist for their own pre-arrival inspections.