Statutory guidance

MSN 1832 (M) Amendment 1 The Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) regulations 2011

This notice provides information on the Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) regulations 2011 which implement UK obligations under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Agreement on Port State Control in UK law.

Documents

Details

The regulations provide for:

  • inspection of foreign flag seagoing ships calling at UK ports or anchorages to engage in a ship/port interface
  • expanded inspections of ships with a high risk profile after 6 months from the previous inspection in the Paris MoU region
  • expanded inspections of oil, gas or chemical tankers, bulk carriers or passenger ships, over 12 years of age, at intervals according to their risk profile
  • a requirement for owners and masters of ships eligible for expanded inspections to give 72 hours’ notice of arrival in port; to allow sufficient time in the operating schedule for an expanded inspection to be carried out; and for the ship to remain in the port until the inspection is completed
  • ships of any type which are repeatedly detained will be refused access to ports and anchorages of Member States. The period of the refusal of access increases on each occasion and may result in permanent exclusion on the third or fourth occasion
  • a requirement for port authorities and pilots, including deep sea pilots, to report apparent anomalies which may pose a risk to safety or to the marine environment
  • an obligation on port authorities to provide actual times of arrival and actual times of departure of ships calling at their ports and anchorages

This notice should be read in conjunction with the Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) regulations 2011 and takes effect on the date that the regulations come into force.

Published 1 November 2021