China: Concentrated Inspection Campaign under Tokyo and Paris MOUs

One of the Correspondents in China, Huatai Marine, has reported that under the Tokyo and Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) will conduct a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on the securing of cargo units and cargo transport units from September 1 to November 30, 2026. This will be implemented in all major ports, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Ningbo, Dalian, and Tianjin.

The Correspondent reports that all deficiencies identified during inspections will be recorded in the Port State Control (PSC) database, directly impacting vessel risk profiles and the performance records of both shipping companies and flag states. China MSA will not arrange separate boarding inspections under the MOUs but instead the CIC will be conducted in conjunction with routine PSC inspections using a standard questionnaire which is within the attached circular prepared by the Correspondent (click here for the English version and click here for the Mandarin version).

The Correspondent strongly advises relevant vessels, particularly those frequent calling at Chinese ports, to conduct thorough self-inspections and rectify any identified deficiencies in advance in order to avoid PSC deficiency records and operational losses resulting from potential detentions.