Guidance

MIN 641 (M) Amendment 1 Navigation: ports and marine facilities safety code compliance submission for 2026-2028

Published 28 October 2025

Summary

This notice sets out the Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC) compliance date and process for UK ports, harbours, marinas and marine facilities for the period of 2026-2028.

1. Introduction/background

1.1 PMSC is applicable to both Statutory Harbour Authorities and to other marine facilities which may not have statutory powers and duties. The Code is endorsed by the UK Government, devolved administrations and representatives from across the maritime sector and while the Code is not mandatory, these bodies have a strong expectation that anyone who manages ports and other marine facilities will incorporate the relevant requirements of the Code into their safety management and other systems.

1.2 The following sections provide the PMSC compliance requirements for the period 2026- 2028.

2. Reporting Requirements

2.1 Every three years the Duty Holder of Statutory Harbour Authorities (SHAs), private ports, and other marine facilities is requested to make a declaration to the MCA confirming their organisation’s PMSC compliance.

2.2 Each facility must submit its own declaration of compliance to the MCA. Statutory Harbour Authorities are not required to submit on behalf of third-party marine facilities or tenants within their jurisdiction.

3. Submission Method

3.1 Declarations should be provided by completing the gov.uk form which will be live from 1st January 2026. The form may be completed by the Duty Holder, or a delegated person within the organisation with responsibilities for PMSC.

3.2 The form will require a signature or corresponding letter from the Duty Holder to be attached, confirming that the organisation complies with the PMSC.

3.3 All declarations must be received by 31st March 2026.

4. Role of Statutory Harbour Authorities

4.1 While neighbouring organisations should assist and support one another it is not the responsibility of anyone other than the organisation itself to ensure compliance unless a specific agreement has been made. SHAs are not required to certify or audit tenant marine facilities or confirm their compliance.

4.2 SHAs should demonstrate active and ongoing engagement with marine facilities operating within their statutory limits. Activities may include maintaining a current register of marine facilities, issuing and developing bridging documents or Memorandums of Understanding between facilities, liaising with operators to encourage timely submission of declarations of compliance.

5. Proportional Compliance

5.1 Compliance expectations are developed on a risk-based approach and will reflect the scale, complexity and risk of the facility. Smaller, low activity sites (e.g. single jetty operations) are not expected to meet the same resourcing or documentation standards as large commercial ports.

5.2 Every facility, regardless of size, must demonstrate a clear Duty Holder and accountability structure, appropriate Risk Assessment and Marine Safety Management System, arrangements for incident reporting and emergency response and have appointed a Designated Person.

More information

UK Technical Services Navigation
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/24
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Email: navigationsafety@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca