Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

Port State Control and Regional MOUs glossary

The Port State Control vocabulary by region: the regional MoUs and their member states (Abuja MOU and its IMOSAR database), inspector access rights under SOLAS XI-1/4, deficiency and detention categories, and the targeting and ranking terms. Grounds each term in the regional MoU framework or the PSC procedure it belongs to.

372 defined terms.

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

A

Abandonment of ship: Decision by the master to evacuate, typically by lifeboat, liferaft, or rescue craft.
Abuja MoU: Memorandum of Understanding on PSC for West and Central African Region.
Abuja MOU Information System: IMOSAR, the regional PSC database used by Abuja MOU authorities to record inspections and deficiencies.
Abuja MOU Member States: Includes Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe…
Access to Spaces: Inspector right of access to all parts of the ship under SOLAS XI-1/4 and PSC procedures.
Accommodation Deficiency: 09000 series deficiency relating to crew accommodation under MLC 2006 or SOLAS as applicable.
Action Code: Numerical code recorded by PSC officer indicating action taken on a deficiency, such as 10 for rectify deficiency before departure or 17 for detention.
Action Code 10: Rectify deficiency before departure.
Action Code 15: Rectify deficiency within 14 days.
Action Code 16: Rectify deficiency at next port.
Action Code 17: Detention of the ship.
Action Code 18: Rectify deficiency within 3 months.
Action Code 19: Suspend inspection.
Action Code 30: Grounds for detention, deficiency to be rectified before departure.
Action Code 40: Next port informed.
Action Code 46: Rectify deficiency at agreed repair port.
Action Code 48: As in the agreed flag State condition.
Action Code 49: Ship is not allowed to sail.
Action Code 50: Flag State or RO informed.
Action Code 55: Classification society informed.
Action Code 70: Recognized Organization to rectify.
Action Code 85: Investigation of contravention of discharge provisions.
Action Code 99: Other (specify in clear text).
Acuerdo de Vina del Mar: Latin American Agreement on Port State Control of Vessels, signed 1992, covering 15 South and Central American maritime authorities.
Acuerdo Latino: Common short name in Spanish-speaking jurisdictions for the Acuerdo de Vina del Mar.
Additional Inspection: Inspection triggered by overriding or unexpected factor, regardless of inspection interval.
Administrative Detention: Detention based on documentation or certification failures rather than physical deficiencies.
Advance Notification: Pre-arrival information transmitted to PSC authority for expanded inspection targeting under Paris MOU.
Age Factor: Component of Ship Risk Profile; ships over 12 years receive higher weighting.
Air Pollution Deficiency: 14000 series deficiency under MARPOL Annex VI.
Alarms Deficiency: 08000 series deficiency category covering general, fire, and machinery alarms.
Algeria PSC: National PSC authority of Algeria, member of Mediterranean MOU.
Anchor and Chain: Inspection items under 02000 structural conditions and 10000 safety of navigation.
Annual Report (Paris MOU): Published each year listing White, Grey, and Black flag lists and RO performance.
APCIS: Asia-Pacific Computerized Information System, the Tokyo MOU regional PSC database.
Appeal Process: Procedure under each MOU allowing the master, owner, or flag State to appeal a detention.
Approved Repair Port: Port designated for rectification of deficiencies allowed under Action Code 46.
Aquatic Invasive Species: Compliance area under Ballast Water Management Convention, inspected as 14000 series.
Argentina PSC: Prefectura Naval Argentina conducts PSC under Acuerdo de Vina del Mar.
Asia-Pacific Region: Geographic scope of Tokyo MOU PSC activities.
Audit Trail: Documented chain of survey evidence including photos, logs, and instrument records.
Australia AMSA: Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the PSC authority for Australia under Tokyo MOU.
Authorized Officer: VSP-credentialed environmental health officer empowered to board, inspect, and document cruise ship conditions in US ports.
Auxiliary Machinery Deficiency: 13000 series deficiency covering auxiliary engines, generators, and pumps.

B

Bahamas PSC: Caribbean MOU member; Bahamas Maritime Authority conducts PSC inspections.
Bahrain PSC: Riyadh MOU member State; PSC conducted by Ports and Maritime Affairs.
Ballast Water Deficiency: 14000 series deficiency under BWM Convention.
Banning order: Formal written decision by a regional MOU authority barring a ship from entry, issued under Paris MoU or Tokyo MoU rules.
Barbados PSC: Caribbean MOU member State; Secretariat host country.
Bareboat Charter Flag: Flag State during the period of bareboat registration, considered in the Ship Risk Profile.
Belgium PSC: Paris MOU member State; PSC conducted by FOD Mobiliteit en Vervoer.
Bilge Pump Deficiency: 03000 series deficiency relating to water and weathertight conditions and machinery space drainage.
Black List: Categorization of flags or ships with high detention ratios under PSC MoUs.
Black List High Risk: Worst sub-category of the Paris MOU Black List.
Black List Medium Risk: Middle sub-category of the Paris MOU Black List.
Black List Medium-High Risk: Sub-category of the Paris MOU Black List between Medium and High.
Black List Medium-Low Risk: Sub-category of the Paris MOU Black List between Low and Medium.
Black Sea MoU: Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Black Sea Region, signed 2000, secretariat in Istanbul.
Black Sea MOU Member States: Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Boarding: Physical embarkation by PSC officer for inspection purposes.
Boat Drills: Required under SOLAS III/19; PSC may witness during inspection.
Bosun's Store: Inspected for compliance with 02000 structural conditions and tools.
Bridge Equipment Inspection: 10000 series check of navigation equipment and procedures.
Bulgaria PSC: Black Sea MOU and Paris MOU member State; PSC conducted by Maritime Administration Bulgaria.
Bulk Carrier Focus Inspection: Expanded inspection criterion under Paris MOU for bulk carriers over 12 years of age.
Bunker delivery note: BDN, document required under MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 18 listing fuel quantity and sulphur content.
Bunker survey: Quantity and quality measurement at delivery and redelivery.
BWM Convention: International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, in force 2017.

C

Canada PSC: Transport Canada Marine Safety conducts PSC, member of Paris MOU and Tokyo MOU.
Cargo Operations Deficiency: 06000 series deficiency including cargo equipment, holds, and stowage.
Cargo Securing Manual: Required under SOLAS VI/5 and VII/5.
Caribbean MoU: PSC regime for Caribbean states.
Caribbean MOU Member States: Includes Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, France (Caribbean territories), Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Netherlands (Caribbean…
Chile PSC: Member of Acuerdo de Vina del Mar; PSC conducted by DIRECTEMAR; hosts the Secretariat in Valparaiso.
China PSC: Tokyo MOU member State; PSC conducted by China MSA.
CIC: Concentrated Inspection Campaign, time-limited PSC focus on a specific subject area, conducted jointly by regional MOUs.
CIC 2008: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on SOLAS Chapter V (Safety of Navigation).
CIC 2009: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Lifesaving Appliances.
CIC 2010: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Tanker Damage Stability.
CIC 2011: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Structural Safety and Load Lines.
CIC 2012: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Fire Safety Systems.
CIC 2013: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery.
CIC 2014: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on STCW Hours of Rest.
CIC 2015: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Crew Familiarization for Enclosed Space Entry.
CIC 2016: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Cargo Securing Arrangements.
CIC 2017: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Safety of Navigation including ECDIS.
CIC 2018: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on MARPOL Annex VI.
CIC 2019: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Emergency Systems and Procedures.
CIC 2020: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Stability in General (deferred in some MOUs due to COVID-19).
CIC 2022: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Crew Wages and Seafarers' Employment Agreements.
CIC 2023: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Fire Safety (Tokyo MOU) and Fitness for Duty / STCW (Paris MOU).
CIC 2024: Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Crew Wages and SEA (Paris MOU and Tokyo MOU joint).
CIC Questionnaire: Standardized checklist used by PSC officers during a Concentrated Inspection Campaign.
Class Society Performance: Recognized Organization performance metric used in Ship Risk Profile.
Clear grounds: Evidence justifying a more detailed PSC inspection, such as expired certificates, defective equipment or crew complaints.
Closure of Detention: Formal lifting of a detention order once deficiencies are rectified to PSC satisfaction.
CMOU: Acronym for Caribbean MOU.
Code 17: Action code indicating detention of the ship.
Code 30: Grounds for detention; deficiency to be rectified before departure.
Code 99: Other action, specified in clear text by the inspector.
Combination carrier: Vessel able to carry containers and other cargo such as ro-ro or break-bulk.
Company DOC Performance: Performance metric of the ISM company holding the DOC, calculated from detentions and deficiencies, used in Ship Risk Profile.
Company Performance Calculator: Paris MOU online tool that calculates a company's PSC performance band.
Concentrated Inspection Campaign: See CIC.
Confirmation of Compliance: The ISM-related document verifying the operator's Document of Compliance is current.
Container Ship Targeting: SRP weighting factor; high-value container vessels generally weighted Standard or Low Risk if young and well-flagged.
COTP: Captain of the Port, the senior USCG officer with PSC authority in a US port zone.
Crew Familiarization: Onboard induction including security duties per ISPS.
Crew List: Required document used in port clearance and screening.
Crew Wages: Subject of the 2022 CIC under MLC 2006.
Croatia PSC: Paris MOU and Mediterranean MOU member State.
CSR: Continuous Synopsis Record; sighted during ISM and ISPS audits.
Cuba PSC: Member of Acuerdo de Vina del Mar and Caribbean MOU.
Cyprus PSC: Paris MOU and Mediterranean MOU member State.

D

Damage Stability: Required for passenger and cargo ships under SOLAS II-1, Parts B-1 and B-2.
Deck Log Book: Document checked during initial PSC inspection.
Deficiency: PSC finding requiring rectification.
Deficiency Code: Five-digit numerical code identifying the nature of a deficiency in MOU databases.
Deficiency Code 01000: Certificates and Documentation.
Deficiency Code 02000: Structural Conditions.
Deficiency Code 03000: Water/Weathertight Conditions.
Deficiency Code 04000: Emergency Systems.
Deficiency Code 05000: Radiocommunications.
Deficiency Code 06000: Cargo Operations including Equipment.
Deficiency Code 07000: Fire Safety.
Deficiency Code 08000: Alarms.
Deficiency Code 09000: Working and Living Conditions.
Deficiency Code 10000: Safety of Navigation.
Deficiency Code 11000: Life Saving Appliances.
Deficiency Code 13000: Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery.
Deficiency Code 14000: Pollution Prevention (MARPOL Annexes I-VI).
Deficiency Code 15000: ISM (International Safety Management).
Deficiency Code 16000: ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security).
Deficiency Code 17000: Other.
Deficiency Code 18000: MLC 2006 (Maritime Labour Convention).
Denmark PSC: Paris MOU member State; PSC conducted by Danish Maritime Authority.
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 Percentage: Ratio of detentions to inspections, used in flag and company performance calculations.
Detention review panel: Internal mechanism in Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU for owners to challenge detention decisions.
Directive 2009/16/EC: EU directive transposing Paris MOU NIR into European law and providing the legal basis for banning orders.
Director of Marine (Hong Kong): PSC authority for Hong Kong under Tokyo MOU.
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.
Documentation Deficiency: 01000 series deficiency relating to certificates and onboard documentation.
Dominican Republic PSC: Caribbean MOU member; PSC conducted by Autoridad Portuaria Dominicana.
Doubling Check: Action by PSC officer to verify that the same deficiency was not previously rectified at the prior port.
Dynamic Positioning: Computer-controlled thruster station keeping for salvage and dive vessels.

E

ECDIS: Electronic Chart Display and Information System per IMO MSC.232(82).
Egypt PSC: Mediterranean MOU member State; hosts the MedMOU Secretariat in Alexandria.
Emergency Fire Pump Deficiency: 04000 or 07000 series deficiency depending on context.
Emergency Generator Deficiency: 04000 series deficiency.
Emergency Lighting: Inspected under 04000 emergency systems.
Emergency Systems Deficiency: 04000 series deficiency category.
Emergency Towing Arrangement: SOLAS II-1/3-4 requirement; subject of inspection for tankers.
Enclosed Space Entry: A safety-critical operation reviewed under VIQ Chapter 5 and central to several SIRE 2.0 process and human-factor questions.
Engine Room Inspection: Includes machinery 13000, alarms 08000, fire 07000, and pollution 14000.
EPIRB: Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon required under SOLAS IV/7.
Equasis: Free online ship-information database operated by EMSA and partners.
Estonia PSC: Paris MOU member State.
EU MRV: EU Regulation 2015/757 on monitoring, reporting, and verification of CO2 emissions from shipping.
EU PSC Regime: Implementation of Paris MOU NIR through Directive 2009/16/EC across EU and EEA States.
Expanded inspection: PSC inspection of high-risk and certain ship types under Paris MoU NIR, covering an expanded list of items.
Expanded Inspection Items: Items listed in Annex 7 to Paris MOU covering hull, machinery, navigation, cargo, safety, and pollution.
External Audit (ISM): Five-year audit by the flag administration or RO; checked by PSC.

F

Federation of Russia PSC: Member of Tokyo MOU and Black Sea MOU.
Finland PSC: Paris MOU member State; PSC conducted by Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.
Fire Safety Deficiency: 07000 series deficiency category.
Flag Performance: Performance band (White, Grey, Black) of the flag State based on a rolling 3-year period of inspections and detentions.
Flag State Convention Information (FSCI): Component used in calculating flag State performance.
FONS: Foreign Operations Notice of Suspension, a USCG action suspending a foreign-flag vessel's operations in US waters.
France PSC: Paris MOU and Mediterranean MOU member State.
Fuel Oil Sampling: PSC sampling under MARPOL Annex VI to verify sulfur content.

G

Garbage Management Plan: Required under MARPOL Annex V Regulation 10.
Garbage Record Book: Required under MARPOL Annex V Regulation 10.
GBS: Gravity-based structure; concrete platform held by self-weight on seabed.
General Inspection: Paris MoU term for the basic level of PSC inspection, covering documents and overall condition.
Georgia PSC: Black Sea MOU member State.
Germany PSC: Paris MOU member State; PSC conducted by BG Verkehr.
Ghana PSC: Abuja MOU member State.
GMDSS: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System under SOLAS Chapter IV.
GMDSS Logbook: Required radio log under SOLAS IV.
Greece PSC: Paris MOU and Mediterranean MOU member State; PSC conducted by Hellenic Coast Guard.
Grey list: Middle category of flag performance under Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU.
Grounds for Detention: Conditions in Annex 1 of Paris MOU justifying ship detention.
Gulf of Guinea: Atlantic waters off West Africa, current epicenter of kidnap for ransom piracy.

H

Hague (The): City in the Netherlands hosting the Paris MOU Secretariat.
Hatch Cover Deficiency: 03000 series deficiency relating to water/weathertight integrity.
Hazmat Documentation: 01000 series, including Dangerous Goods Manifest under SOLAS VII.
High Risk Ship (HRS): Risk profile under Paris MoU NIR.
Hong Kong PSC: Tokyo MOU member; PSC conducted by Hong Kong Marine Department.
Hours of rest: Mandated minimum rest hours under MLC and STCW.
Hull and Machinery Inspection: Component of expanded inspection.

I

IBC Code: International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.
ICS Compliance Tools: Voluntary industry tools referenced during PSC inspections.
ILO Convention No. 147: Earlier minimum-standards convention now subsumed by MLC 2006 for most States.
IMO Identification Number: Unique seven-digit IMO number assigned under SOLAS XI-1/3, used in PSC databases.
India PSC: Indian Ocean MOU member; PSC conducted by Directorate General of Shipping.
Indian Ocean MoU: PSC regime for the Indian Ocean region.
Initial inspection: First stage of PSC inspection, comprising verification of certificates and overall condition.
Inspection Interval: Time between successive PSC inspections, set by Ship Risk Profile under Paris MOU NIR.
Inspection Report Form (Form A and Form B): SOLAS-mandated PSC inspection report and deficiency form.
Inspection Type: Initial, more detailed, expanded, periodic, follow-up, or additional.
Intermediate Survey: Class survey between Special Surveys.
International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate: IAPP, MARPOL Annex VI engine and ship certificate.
International Ballast Water Management Certificate: IBWMC, issued under the BWM Convention.
International Energy Efficiency Certificate: IEEC, MARPOL Annex VI certificate evidencing EEDI and SEEMP compliance.
International Load Line Certificate: SOLAS-related freeboard certificate.
International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate: IOPP.
International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate: ISPP, MARPOL Annex IV certificate.
International Tonnage Certificate (1969): Tonnage certificate under the Tonnage Measurement Convention 1969.
IOMOU Information System: Indian Ocean Computerized Information System.
IOMOU Member States: Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, France (Reunion), India, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Oman, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan…
IOPP Form A and Form B: Supplements to IOPP certificate for non-oil tankers and oil tankers respectively.
Iran PSC: Indian Ocean MOU member State.
Ireland PSC: Paris MOU member State.
ISM Code Deficiency: 15000 series deficiency category.
ISPS Code Deficiency: 16000 series deficiency category.
Israel PSC: Mediterranean MOU member State.
Italy PSC: Paris MOU and Mediterranean MOU member State.

J

Jamaica PSC: Caribbean MOU member State.
Japan PSC: Tokyo MOU founding member; PSC conducted by Japan Coast Guard; hosts the Tokyo MOU Secretariat.
Jordan PSC: Mediterranean MOU and Riyadh MOU adjacent State.

K

Kenya PSC: Indian Ocean MOU member State.
Korea (Republic of) PSC: Tokyo MOU member; PSC conducted by Korea Coast Guard and KOMSA.
Kuwait PSC: Riyadh MOU member State.

L

Latvia PSC: Paris MOU member State.
Lebanon PSC: Mediterranean MOU member State.
Lifeboat drill: SOLAS Chapter III drill at intervals not exceeding one month.
Lifesaving Appliances Deficiency: 11000 series deficiency category.
Lithuania PSC: Paris MOU member State.
Load Line Certificate: Statutory certificate issued under Load Line Convention.
Low Risk Ship (LRS): Ship Risk Profile category under Paris MOU NIR with inspection interval of 24-36 months.
Lower Performing RO: Recognized Organization with detention rates above the relevant threshold; contributes to higher SRP.

M

Macao (China) PSC: Tokyo MOU member.
Malaysia PSC: Tokyo MOU member; PSC conducted by Marine Department.
Malta PSC: Paris MOU and Mediterranean MOU member State.
Mandatory Expanded Inspection: Required for HRS, ships with overriding factors, or eligible ship types over 12 years old under Paris MOU.
Manning Certificate: The flag-state Minimum Safe Manning Document reviewed under VIQ Chapter 3.
MARPOL Annex I: Prevention of pollution by oil.
MARPOL Annex II: Prevention of pollution by noxious liquid substances.
MARPOL Annex III: Prevention of pollution by harmful substances in packaged form.
MARPOL Annex IV: Prevention of pollution by sewage.
MARPOL Annex V: Prevention of pollution by garbage.
MARPOL Annex VI: Air pollution and energy-efficiency annex.
Master's Discretion: Preserved under SOLAS V/34-1.
Mauritania PSC: Abuja MOU member State.
Mauritius PSC: Indian Ocean MOU member State.
MedMOU: Mediterranean MOU on Port State Control, signed 11 July 1997 in Valletta, with Secretariat in Alexandria.