GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Port State Control Inspection

Port State Control (PSC) gives coastal nations the authority to inspect foreign-flagged vessels calling at their ports and verify compliance with international maritime conventions—regardless of where the ship is registered.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://www.parismou.org

Category

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Reading time

1 min

Words

106

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

Port State Control (PSC) gives coastal nations the authority to inspect foreign-flagged vessels calling at their ports and verify compliance with international maritime conventions—regardless of where the ship is registered. Inspectors check structural safety, life-saving equipment, crew certification, working conditions, and environmental compliance under instruments such as SOLAS, MARPOL, and the MLC. Regional Memoranda of Understanding coordinate these efforts: the Paris MOU covers European and North Atlantic ports, the Tokyo MOU the Asia-Pacific region, among others. A vessel with serious deficiencies can be detained until faults are rectified—a detention that translates directly into port delays, additional costs, and supply chain disruptions for shippers and freight forwarders.

Next steps

Matching tools and partners

Check demurrage/detentionCalculate standing charges and free timeOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Calculate transit timeEstimate duration per transport modeOpen Find a matching partnerFreight forwarders and logistics partners worldwideOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

Port State Control

Unlike flag state oversight, which is exercised by a vessel's home country, Port State Control (PSC) operates at the point of call…

Maritime Cargo Security Standards (ISPS Code)

When a vessel calls at port, the ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code) comes into force. Mandatory since …

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

Ship operators, port state control officers, and classification societies refer daily to SOLAS – the International Convention for …

Vessel Screening

A vessel requests port entry – and long before it reaches the berth, screening is already under way: Does the IMO number, flag sta…

Ballast Water Inspection

Unlike a routine document check, a ballast water inspection involves active sampling and physical verification of a ship's complia…

Sulfur emissions limits in maritime transport

Sulfur emissions limits in maritime transport set internationally binding caps on the sulfur content of marine fuels, governed by …

⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Analyze all 11 Incoterms 2020: cost matrix, risk timeline, insurance gap detector and customs responsibility – free, no login required.

Incoterms Simulator →

Connect

Find a matching partner on this lane

Verified forwarders, ranked by coverage and profile — premium capped at 10%.

Search partners

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.

Community Questions & Answers

Share your knowledge, ask follow-up questions, or add practical insights to this page. Every contribution is moderated before publication.

No community answers yet. Be the first.