Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

Port State Control Regimes, MoUs, and Inspection Systems glossary

Terminology of port State control: the regional memoranda of understanding such as the Paris, Tokyo, Abuja and Vina del Mar agreements, access-refusal sanctions for repeat detentions, information systems like APCIS, additional and unscheduled inspections, and the flag-State Administration concepts underpinning the global PSC inspection regime.

267 defined terms.

Showing 250 on this page (page 1 of 2).

A

Abuja MoU: Memorandum of Understanding on PSC for West and Central African Region.
Access Refusal: A sanction under the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU regimes by which a ship is denied entry to any port of the member States after repeated detentions.
ACS (Asia-Pacific Computerized Information System): The legacy information system formerly used by Tokyo MoU members, superseded by APCIS.
Acuerdo Latinoamericano (Vina del Mar Agreement): The Latin American Agreement on Port State Control signed at Vina del Mar, Chile, on 5 November 1992, covering 15 South and Central American maritime authorities.
Additional Inspection: Inspection triggered by overriding or unexpected factor, regardless of inspection interval.
Administration: Government of the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly, per SOLAS and MARPOL definitions.
AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority): The Australian PSC authority headquartered in Canberra, conducting inspections at all Australian ports under the Navigation Act 2012 and the Tokyo MoU framework.
AP Manual (Asia-Pacific PSC Manual): The operational manual issued by the Tokyo MoU Secretariat for harmonized inspection procedures across member authorities.
APCIS (Asia-Pacific Computerized Information System): The centralized PSC information system of the Tokyo MoU, hosted in Vladivostok, Russia, recording inspections and deficiencies across 21 member authorities.
Article 218 UNCLOS: Port-state enforcement authority over discharge violations on the high seas or in another State's waters.
Article 219 UNCLOS: Port-state power to detain unseaworthy vessels threatening the marine environment.
ASCOMI: The Mediterranean MoU's information system, the Mediterranean Information System on Port State Control inspections.
Authority: In MoU terminology, the maritime safety administration of a participating State authorized to carry out PSC inspections.

B

Banning order: Formal written decision by a regional MOU authority barring a ship from entry, issued under Paris MoU or Tokyo MoU rules.
Banning System: The graduated refusal-of-access regime adopted by the Paris MoU on 20 July 2010 and similarly by the Tokyo MoU, escalating from three-month to permanent bans.
BIMCO Inspection Report Form: The standardized industry checklist often referenced by port State Control officers when reviewing voluntary inspections.
Black List: Categorization of flags or ships with high detention ratios under PSC MoUs.
Black Sea MoU: Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Black Sea Region, signed 2000, secretariat in Istanbul.
Boarding Officer: Officer in charge of a VBSS team.
Bridge Resource Management CIC (2010): The joint Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC on STCW Bridge Resource Management compliance during the third quarter of 2010.
Bulk Carrier CIC (2007): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU Concentrated Inspection Campaign on bulk carrier structural safety, conducted September to November 2007.

C

Cargo Securing Manual CIC (2018): The Concentrated Inspection Campaign by the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU during September to November 2018 focused on the ship's approved Cargo Securing Manual.
Caribbean MoU: PSC regime for Caribbean states.
CCS (China Classification Society): Member of IACS.
CDI (Chemical Distribution Institute): A vetting and inspection body whose CDI Marine reports are widely consulted alongside PSC findings on chemical tankers.
Centralized Information System: A generic term covering THETIS, APCIS, CIALA, and similar PSC databases that exchange inspection results among member authorities.
CIALA: The Caribbean MoU information system used to record PSC inspection results among member States.
CIC (Concentrated Inspection Campaign): A time-limited focused inspection topic agreed across one or more MoUs, typically running for three months and accompanied by a questionnaire.
CIC 2008 (SOLAS Chapter V): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU joint CIC on Safety of Navigation conducted in late 2008.
CIC 2009 (Lifeboat Launching Arrangements): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU joint CIC during September to November 2009 on lifeboat launching arrangements.
CIC 2011 (Structural Safety and LL Convention): The joint Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC on structural safety and the Load Line Convention.
CIC 2012 (Fire Safety Systems): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU joint CIC on SOLAS Chapter II-2 fire safety systems.
CIC 2013 (Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery): The joint Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC on propulsion and auxiliary machinery.
CIC 2014 (STCW Hours of Rest): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC during September to November 2014 focused on STCW hours of rest record-keeping.
CIC 2015 (Crew Familiarization for Enclosed Space Entry): The Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, and Black Sea MoU CIC on crew familiarization for enclosed space entry.
CIC 2016 (MLC, 2006): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC focused on Maritime Labour Convention compliance, conducted September to November 2016.
CIC 2017 (Safety of Navigation including ECDIS): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC examining navigation safety with particular focus on ECDIS use.
CIC 2019 (Emergency Systems and Procedures): The joint Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC on emergency systems and procedures.
CIC 2020 (Stability in General): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC conducted September to November 2020 on ship stability.
CIC 2021 (STCW Hours of Rest): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU joint CIC repeating the focus on hours of rest compliance.
CIC 2022 (STCW Training and Familiarization): The Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, Indian Ocean MoU, Black Sea MoU, and Riyadh MoU CIC on STCW training and familiarization.
CIC 2023 (Fire Safety): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU joint CIC on fire safety conducted in the fourth quarter of 2023.
CIC 2024 (Crew Wages and SEA): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC on Seafarer Employment Agreements and crew wages under MLC.
Clearance Certificate: A document indicating that a ship has been cleared by a port State authority following inspection.
Code for the Implementation of IMO Instruments (III Code): IMO Resolution A.1070(28), mandatory under SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Lines, STCW, Tonnage, and COLREG, setting flag, port, and coastal State obligations.
Code of Good Practice: The Paris MoU Code of Good Practice for PSC Officers (PSCO Instruction 39/2010), setting ethical and procedural standards.
Cold Move: A movement of the vessel without main engine power or under tug control, sometimes a vetting trigger if it occurred in the recent inspection history.
COMSAR (Sub-Committee): The former IMO Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue, whose work informs PSC radio inspections.
Concentrated Inspection Campaign: See CIC.
Condition of Class: A class-imposed corrective requirement on the vessel, recorded under VIQ Chapter 2 and weighed by vetting analysts.
Convention Certificates: The principal SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line, Tonnage, and STCW statutory certificates verified at every PSC inspection.
Critical Deficiency: A deficiency that, in the PSC officer's judgment, presents a hazard sufficient to warrant detention.
CSO (Company Security Officer): The shore-based officer designated under the ISPS Code whose responsibilities PSC examines during security inspections.
CSR (Continuous Synopsis Record): The SOLAS XI-1/5 document tracing a ship's history of flag, name, owner, and class, routinely verified during PSC inspections.
CST (Caribbean Ship Targeting): The targeting methodology of the Caribbean MoU for selecting ships for inspection.
Curacao Drydock: A facility in the Caribbean region historically used by ships detained under the Caribbean MoU for repairs.

D

Deficiency: PSC finding requiring rectification.
Deficiency Code 01xxx (Certificates and Documentation): The IMO PSC deficiency code group covering ship certificates and documentation.
Deficiency Code 02xxx (Structural Conditions): The group covering hull, watertight integrity, and structural deficiencies.
Deficiency Code 03xxx (Water/Weathertight Conditions): The group covering load lines, hatch covers, and weathertight closures.
Deficiency Code 04xxx (Emergency Systems): The group covering emergency lighting, emergency generator, and emergency stops.
Deficiency Code 05xxx (Radio Communications): The group covering GMDSS and radio installations.
Deficiency Code 06xxx (Cargo Operations including Equipment): The group covering cargo handling gear and cargo system deficiencies.
Deficiency Code 07xxx (Fire Safety): The group covering fire detection, fire-fighting equipment, and structural fire protection.
Deficiency Code 08xxx (Alarms): The group covering general, machinery, and navigation alarms.
Deficiency Code 09xxx (Working and Living Conditions): The group covering MLC accommodation, food, and welfare items.
Deficiency Code 10xxx (Safety of Navigation): The group covering nautical publications, charts, navigation lights, and bridge equipment.
Deficiency Code 11xxx (Life Saving Appliances): The group covering lifeboats, liferafts, immersion suits, and pyrotechnics.
Deficiency Code 12xxx (Dangerous Goods): The group covering IMDG and IMSBC compliance.
Deficiency Code 13xxx (Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery): The group covering main propulsion, auxiliary engines, and steering gear.
Deficiency Code 14xxx (Pollution Prevention): The group covering MARPOL Annexes I through VI.
Deficiency Code 15xxx (ISM): The group covering International Safety Management Code deficiencies.
Deficiency Code 16xxx (ISPS): The group covering ship security deficiencies.
Deficiency Code 17xxx (Other): The catch-all group for deficiencies not classified elsewhere.
Deficiency Code 18xxx (MLC, 2006): The group for Maritime Labour Convention deficiencies introduced after 2013.
Detainable deficiency: Finding so serious or in combination so numerous that the ship is unfit to proceed to sea, triggering action code 30.
Detention: PSC action holding a ship until deficiencies are rectified.
Detention order: Formal written instrument issued to the master imposing detention.
Detention rate: Number of detentions per inspection, used in flag and RO performance lists.
Detention Review Panel (Paris MoU): The independent panel that reviews detentions disputed by flag States or shipowners.
DMA (Danish Maritime Authority): The Danish flag and port State authority, participant in the Paris MoU.
DNV: Det Norske Veritas (DNV); IACS member classification society.
DOC, Document of Compliance: ISM Code certificate issued to a shipping company.
Document of Compliance for Dangerous Goods: SOLAS II-2/19 certificate for ships carrying packaged dangerous goods.
DPA (Designated Person Ashore): The ISM Code-mandated company contact, whose details PSC verifies during ISM-focused inspections.

E

EBI (Expanded Inspection): The Paris MoU pre-2011 category of expanded inspection for high-risk ship types, now subsumed under the NIR.
ECDIS Deficiency: A common 10xxx deficiency relating to outdated ENCs, missing back-up arrangements, or unfamiliar bridge teams, prominent in the 2017 CIC.
EIAPP Certificate: Engine International Air Pollution Prevention certificate issued under NOx Technical Code.
EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency): The Lisbon-based EU agency that operates THETIS on behalf of the Paris MoU and the European Commission.
EMSA Inspection Database: The data warehouse holding THETIS records and providing analysis to Paris MoU members.
Enclosed Space Entry CIC (2015): The joint Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, and Black Sea MoU CIC on crew familiarization with enclosed space entry procedures.
Engine Room Audit: A focused PSC examination of machinery space cleanliness, fire safety, and oily water separator operation.
Equasis: Free online ship-information database operated by EMSA and partners.
EU Directive 2009/16/EC: The EU PSC Directive transposing the Paris MoU New Inspection Regime into binding EU law.
Examination: The US Coast Guard term for a PSC inspection of a foreign-flag vessel.
Excess Factor: A historical Paris MoU statistical measure indicating whether a flag State's detentions exceeded the regional average.
Expanded inspection: PSC inspection of high-risk and certain ship types under Paris MoU NIR, covering an expanded list of items.

F

FIN (Flag Information Note): A communication issued by a Paris MoU member to a flag State documenting persistent deficiencies on its registered ships.
Fire Safety CIC (2023): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC focused on SOLAS Chapter II-2 compliance and fire-fighting drills.
Flag State: State of the ship's nationality, with jurisdiction under UNCLOS Article 94.
Flag State Audit Scheme (IMSAS): The IMO Member State Audit Scheme mandatory since 2016 that audits flag, port, and coastal State implementation.
Flag State Implementation Sub-Committee (FSI): The former IMO Sub-Committee whose work on PSC was reorganized into the III Sub-Committee in 2013.
Flag State Performance List: The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU annual ranking dividing flag States into Black, Grey, and White Lists based on a three-year rolling average.
Follow-up inspection: PSC re-inspection at the next port to verify rectification of deficiencies coded 16 or 48.
Formal Investigation: A flag State investigation following a casualty or detention, the report of which is shared via the GISIS Casualty module.
FSI Sub-Committee: See Flag State Implementation Sub-Committee.

G

GARD Loss Prevention Circulars: P&I publications used by PSCOs as background reading on common deficiency patterns.
GISIS (Global Integrated Shipping Information System): The IMO database aggregating ship particulars, casualties, and PSC information.
GMDSS Deficiency: A 05xxx deficiency under PSC reporting, often involving inoperative EPIRBs, SARTs, or expired battery certificates.
Government Authority: The competent maritime administration that has signed and implements a regional MoU on Port State Control.
Grain Code Deficiency: A 12xxx-related finding when ships carry grain without an approved grain loading manual or proper trimming.
Grey list: Middle category of flag performance under Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU.

H

Hague Memorandum: The 1978 memorandum between eight North Sea States, the precursor to the Paris MoU.
High Risk Ship (HRS): Risk profile under Paris MoU NIR.
HOMC (Heads of Maritime Administrations): The Tokyo MoU governing body comprising heads of maritime safety administrations of member authorities.
Hours of Rest CIC (2014, 2021): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CICs verifying STCW and MLC hours of rest compliance.
Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) Deficiency: A common 11xxx PSC finding when liferaft HRUs are expired or improperly rigged.

I

III Code: IMO Instruments Implementation Code, mandatory under SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Lines, Tonnage 1969, COLREG, and STCW.
IIMS (International Institute of Marine Surveying): A professional body whose surveyors interact frequently with PSC outcomes.
IMO Number: Unique seven-digit ship identifier from IHS Markit on behalf of IMO.
IMO Resolution A.1052(27): Procedures for Port State Control 2011, the operative IMO procedural guidance superseded by A.1138(31).
IMO Resolution A.1138(31): Procedures for Port State Control 2019, the current consolidated PSC procedures.
IMO Resolution A.787(19): The 1995 Procedures for Port State Control, the foundational PSC procedural document.
IMO Resolution A.973(24): The original Code for the Implementation of Mandatory IMO Instruments, predecessor to the III Code.
IMSAS: IMO Member State Audit Scheme, mandatory audit of flag, port, and coastal state obligations.
IMSBC Code Deficiency: A 12xxx finding involving inadequate shipper's declaration, missing cargo schedules, or unauthorized stowage of solid bulk cargoes.
Indian Ocean MoU: PSC regime for the Indian Ocean region.
Indian Ocean MoU Information System (IOCIS): The PSC database of the Indian Ocean MoU members.
Initial inspection: First stage of PSC inspection, comprising verification of certificates and overall condition.
Inspection Priority I: Under the Paris MoU NIR, a ship that must be inspected because the inspection window has closed.
Inspection Priority II: Under the Paris MoU NIR, a ship that may be inspected because the inspection window has opened.
Inspection Type: Initial, more detailed, expanded, periodic, follow-up, or additional.
Inspection Window: Time window in which annual, intermediate, or renewal surveys may be held.
Intervention Action: The Paris MoU code recorded against deficiencies, ranging from "no action" through "rectify before departure" to "detainable".
IOMOU: The shorthand abbreviation often used for the Indian Ocean MoU.
IOPP Certificate: International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate under MARPOL Annex I.
ISM Deficiency: A 15xxx code recorded against shortcomings in the safety management system, including major non-conformities that often lead to detention.
ISPS Deficiency: A 16xxx code recorded against ship security shortcomings, with significant security deficiencies leading to detention or expulsion.
ITF Inspectors: International Transport Workers' Federation inspectors whose reports on wages and conditions frequently trigger PSC follow-up under MLC.

J

JG (Japan Coast Guard): A participant in the Tokyo MoU with significant inspection volume at Japanese ports.
JMA: The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the lead PSC authority in Japan.
JR (Joint Inspection Regime): An informal designation for combined inspections by adjacent MoUs at boundary ports.

K

Klaipeda: Lithuanian port hosting EU-listed ship recycling facilities including Vakaru Baltijos Laivu Statykla.
KOMSA (Korean Maritime Safety Audit): A national audit programme conducted by the Republic of Korea complementing Tokyo MoU activity.
KR (Korean Register): IACS member classification society.

L

Less Detailed Inspection: Not formally defined; in practice the result of an inspection that did not progress beyond document checks.
Letter of Warning: A written warning issued by Paris MoU authorities indicating that a ship is at risk of refusal of access.
Lifeboat Launching CIC (2009): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC on lifeboat launching arrangements.
Lifesaving Appliance Deficiency: An 11xxx finding involving lifeboats, liferafts, immersion suits, or pyrotechnics.
Liverpool: English port that grew rapidly with the West India and African trades from the eighteenth century.
LL Protocol 1988: The Protocol of 1988 relating to the Load Lines Convention, harmonizing the survey and certification system.
LL66 Convention: The International Convention on Load Lines 1966, central to 03xxx PSC deficiencies.
Load Line Deficiency: A 03xxx finding involving freeboard markings, deck line, draft marks, or weathertight closures.
Low Risk Ship (LRS): Ship Risk Profile category under Paris MOU NIR with inspection interval of 24-36 months.
LRIT Long Range Identification and Tracking: SOLAS V/19-1 mandatory long range tracking system.

M

MARPOL Annex Deficiency: A 14xxx finding spanning Annexes I (oil), II (NLS), III (packaged), IV (sewage), V (garbage), and VI (air emissions).
MARS (Mariners Alerting and Reporting Scheme): Nautical Institute reporting scheme.
Maximum Time Interval: The longest interval between two routine PSC inspections allowed under the NIR for each risk profile.
MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency): UK maritime regulator that originated the Large Yacht Code framework.
MED MoU: The Mediterranean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, signed in Malta on 11 July 1997.
MED MoU Information System (MEDMIS): The information system used by Mediterranean MoU members.
MEPC: Marine Environment Protection Committee.
MLC CIC (2016): The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU CIC specifically focused on MLC, 2006 compliance.
MLC, 2006 Deficiency: An 18xxx code recorded against Maritime Labour Convention shortcomings ranging from contracts to accommodation.
More detailed inspection: PSC stage triggered when clear grounds exist, going beyond initial inspection.
MOU: Memorandum of Understanding for cross-border salvage cooperation.
MSC (Maritime Safety Committee): The IMO body that approves PSC procedures and amendments to SOLAS, ISM, and ISPS.
MTCC (Maritime Training and Certification Centre): Regional training centres providing PSC officer education under IMO technical cooperation.

N

NABU: German conservation association that has commented extensively on offshore renewable and CCS environmental impacts.
National Inspector: The shorthand for a PSC officer employed by a national maritime administration.
New Inspection Regime (NIR): Paris MoU risk-based inspection scheme since 2011.
NK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai): A recognized organization, also known as ClassNK, tracked in the Paris MoU RO performance list.
NORMA (Nordic Maritime Authority): Informal term for the cooperation among Nordic Paris MoU members.
Notification of Arrival: The 72-hour advance notice required of certain ships entering Paris MoU ports under the EU Directive 2009/16/EC.
NSCA: The shorthand for non-substantial compliance, not actually a standard PSC code but used colloquially.

O

Off-hire survey: Joint survey at redelivery.
Officer in Charge (OIC): The PSC officer leading the inspection.
Oil Record Book (ORB) Deficiency: A 14102 deficiency under MARPOL Annex I for incomplete or false entries, a common detention trigger.
OPRC Convention: The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 1990, referenced in MARPOL-related PSC findings.
Overriding factor: Condition such as collision, grounding, fire or pollution incident triggering an unscheduled PSC inspection.

P

PAL Convention: The Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, peripherally relevant to passenger ship PSC.
Paris MoU: Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, 1982.
Paris MOU Committee: Annual policy-making body of the Paris MOU.
Paris MOU Secretariat: Administrative office located in The Hague, Netherlands.
PCS (Port Community System): Single-window platform among port stakeholders.
Performance Calculation Period: Rolling 3-year window used for flag, RO, and company performance lists.
Periodical Inspection: The routine PSC inspection conducted within the time window defined by the ship's risk profile.
PEX: An abbreviation used in some Paris MoU documents for "Periodic Examination", another term for routine inspection.
Pilot Card Deficiency: A 10xxx deficiency where the pilot card is not available or incomplete, a common minor finding.
Port state control: PSC inspection regime.
Port State Control Officer (PSCO): Qualified inspector authorized by the maritime administration to carry out PSC.
Port Status (Tokyo MoU): The classification of a port as low, medium, or high risk based on calls and detentions.
Priority I: Paris MoU label for ships that must be inspected, time window expired.
Priority II: Paris MoU label for ships that may be inspected, time window opened.
Priority III: The Tokyo MoU category for ships outside their inspection window but eligible for selection.
Procedures for Port State Control: The IMO consolidated procedures most recently adopted as Resolution A.1138(31) in 2019.
PSCO Code of Good Practice: See Code of Good Practice.

Q

Quality Shipping Award: The Paris MoU's recognition for shipowners and managers with consistent White List performance.
Questionnaire (CIC): The standardized checklist completed during a Concentrated Inspection Campaign, supplementing the regular inspection.
Quota System: The pre-NIR Paris MoU inspection commitment of 25 percent of foreign ships calling at each member State, replaced in 2011.

R

Recognized Organization (RO): Class society or other entity acting on behalf of the flag state.
Recognized Security Organization (RSO): Performs port-facility security tasks under ISPS Code.
Reduced Risk Ship Targeting: The selection logic that increases the inspection interval for ships meeting low risk profile criteria.
Reference Period: The three-year window used for calculating performance lists.
Refusal of access: Banning order under Paris MoU or Tokyo MoU.
Refusal of Access Banning Order: The written order communicating a refusal-of-access decision to the master, owner, flag, and class.
Regional Cooperation Agreement: The legal nature of each PSC MoU, non-binding among the authorities but giving rise to enforceable national actions.
Renaming and Reflagging: A frequent factor in Paris MoU targeting since changes of name or flag invalidate prior low-risk credit for a defined period.
Renew Detention: A second detention imposed when a previously detained ship is found still to have detainable deficiencies on follow-up.
Reporting Obligation: The obligation of certain ships to report ahead of arrival to the Paris MoU member State, including pre-arrival notification of MARPOL Annex I waste.
Resolution A.682(17): The IMO Regional Co-operation in the Control of Ships and Discharges resolution underpinning MoU formation.
Riyadh MoU: PSC regime for Gulf Cooperation Council region.
RO Code: Code for Recognized Organizations, see entry above.
RO Performance List: The Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU annual ranking of recognized organizations based on detention performance.
Routine Inspection: Periodic inspection by crew, owner, or class.

S

SafCon Certificate: Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate under SOLAS.
SafeSeaNet: EU ship reporting network whose data integrity supports STM and is in scope for NIS2 protection.
SafetyNET: Inmarsat-C broadcast service for MSI to selected sea or NAVAREAs.
SBNL Inspection: Inspection arising from a "Should Be Notified" Letter, a Paris MoU internal communication on at-risk ships.
Scotland (MCA Region): One of the MCA's inspection regions, contributing PSC data to the Paris MoU.
Selection Scheme: The algorithm by which ships are chosen for inspection, based on risk profile, inspection window, and overriding or unexpected factors.
Sequential Inspection: A second inspection conducted shortly after a prior inspection in another regional port, generally avoided under the no-more-favorable-treatment principle.
Ship Risk Profile (SRP): Risk-based scoring under Paris MOU NIR using vessel type, age, flag performance, RO performance, company performance, and detention/deficiency history.
Ship Security Plan (SSP): Required under ISPS Code Part A.
SIRE (Ship Inspection Report Programme): The OCIMF tanker vetting database that shares some deficiency-coding conventions with PSC.
SOLAS 1974: The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, the principal convention enforced through PSC.
SRP: Schottel Rudder Propeller, the manufacturer's standard azimuth thruster product designation.
STCW Convention: International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended.
STCW Hours of Rest: Subject of the 2014 CIC.
STCW Training and Familiarization CIC (2022): The Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, Indian Ocean MoU, Black Sea MoU, and Riyadh MoU CIC during September to November 2022.
Stop the Clock: The procedure under which the time a ship is detained does not count against the next port's inspection window.
Sub-Standard Ship Targeting: The collective methodology employed by Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU to focus inspection on the riskiest ships.
Substandard ship: Ship whose condition, equipment or crew falls significantly below the standards required by relevant conventions, IMO Resolution A.1052(27).

T

Targeting Factor (TF): Tokyo MOU formula combining ship-specific, flag, RO, company, and CIC factors to set inspection priority.
THETIS: EMSA-operated PSC database used by Paris MoU.
THETIS-EU: PSC tool for EU directives such as Directive 2009/16/EC.
THETIS-MRV: EMSA database for EU MRV reports.
Three-Year Rolling Average: The reference period for calculating Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU flag State and RO performance.
Time Charterers' Performance: A factor under the Paris MoU SRP through the "company performance" element, based on the ISM company's detention record.
Tokyo MoU: PSC regime for the Asia-Pacific.
Tokyo MoU Secretariat: The permanent secretariat located in Tokyo, Japan, supporting Tokyo MoU activities.
Tonnage Certificate Deficiency: A 01xxx deficiency relating to the International Tonnage Certificate (1969).
Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) Compliance: Not a PSC deficiency code as such but a coastal-State enforcement matter occasionally crossing into PSC follow-up.
Triennial Audit (Paris MoU): The periodic peer review of member authorities' implementation of the MoU.

U

UKHO Charts: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office charts, the most commonly verified paper publication at PSC inspections.
Unannounced Inspection: An inspection conducted without prior notice, increasingly the norm under the NIR.
Unexpected Factor: A factor that may give rise to additional inspection priority, such as a report from a pilot or port authority about deficiencies.
Unscheduled Inspection: A SIRE inspection raised at short notice, for example in response to an incident or trading change.
USCG (United States Coast Guard): US maritime regulator with rules for yachts under the US flag.
USCG Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE): The US Coast Guard database of vessel inspections and incidents.