Maritime Legal Update – June 2026
China – Port State Control and increasing
inspection risks for vessels calling at Chinese ports
(prepared
by Marek Czernis & Co. Law Office)
Firm note – Port State Control, shipping
compliance and operational risk
The Law
Office actively advises shipowners, operators, technical managers and offshore
stakeholders on: Port State Control (PSC), Tokyo MoU and Paris MoU compliance, detention
disputes, ISM / ISPS / MARPOL compliance, casualty prevention, operational risk
management and ship detention response.
China
Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) continues to operate one of the most
stringent PSC environments within the Asia-Pacific region.
1. Introduction – Chinese PSC environment
Chinese
ports are currently regarded as one of the most intensive PSC jurisdictions
under the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding (Tokyo MoU).
China MSA
applies: extensive inspection programmes, additional PSC campaigns and enhanced
high-risk vessel targeting systems.
Available
industry analyses indicate that detention rates in Chinese ports remain
significantly above the Tokyo MoU average.
2. China MSA – enhanced inspection practice
China MSA
introduced additional monitoring criteria for vessels involving: ships detained
twice within 12 months, serious safety violations, unlawful AIS shutdowns, pollution
violations, unapproved vessel modifications and certification
irregularities.
In
practice, certain vessels may therefore become subject to mandatory PSC
inspections at every Chinese port call.
3. Machinery & electrical campaign
China MSA
currently places special emphasis on machinery and electrical equipment
failures through dedicated PSC campaigns.
Inspection
focus areas include: emergency generators, steering gear, bilge systems, fire
safety systems, navigation equipment and maintenance documentation.
Repeated
mechanical or electrical failures may trigger: additional joint inspections, class
involvement and expanded technical review procedures.
4. PSC targeting – risk factors
PSC
inspections increasingly rely on advanced risk profiling systems.
Key
detention risk factors include: deficiency history, previous detentions, vessel
age, flag performance, classification society performance, company performance and
vessel type.
PSC
research further confirms that number of deficiencies, vessel age and RO
performance are among the most influential detention factors.
5. Electronic documentation – new Chinese
requirements
From May
2026, China’s Revised Maritime Code introduces additional requirements
concerning: electronic records, retrievability, issuer verification and
authenticity of onboard documentation.
This may
result in enhanced scrutiny of: electronic logbooks, digital certificates, PMS
records and onboard electronic compliance systems.
6. Practical implications for shipowners and
operators
The
increasing intensity of PSC inspections in China significantly enhances the
importance of: pre-arrival inspections, PSC preparedness, onboard drills, maintenance
verification, crew familiarisation and documented compliance.
Particular
operational focus is now placed on: PSC checklists, internal audits, detention
prevention strategies and immediate response procedures following deficiencies.
7. Law Office conclusions
China MSA
practice demonstrates that Port State Control is increasingly becoming a
sophisticated compliance and safety-risk management tool.
Further
developments are likely to include: stricter inspection intensity, expanded
risk-based targeting, greater focus on electronic compliance and increasingly
restrictive treatment of repeat offenders.
The Law
Office continues to support clients regarding: PSC preparedness, detention
disputes, emergency response, compliance audits and operational risk
management.
Final note – our
publications
Further
insights regarding maritime law, PSC, shipping compliance and offshore matters
are available at:
https://czernis.pl
https://www.linkedin.com/company/czernis