Collaboration and dialogue to harmonize and standardize port State control procedures and activities worldwide were the focus of the latest IMO port State control workshop.
The Eighth IMO Workshop for PSC MoU/Agreement Secretaries, Database Managers and Chairpersons (14-16 November) was held at IMO Headquarters, bringing together all nine PSC regimes, representatives from 23 Member States, one Associated Member, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and various inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Opening the meeting, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim underscored the crucial role of port State control (PSC) in the effective implementation of conventions and facilitating the shipping industry and emphasizing the need for harmonization and standardization.
Recommendations emanating from the workshop included the need for collaboration between the IMO Secretariat and PSC regimes to establish an overarching database, together with associated webservices.
The Workshop recommended the PSC regimes adopt a policy for inspecting fishing vessels and encouraged the sharing of experience.
The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) delivered a presentation on "Strengthening integrity in maritime trade- an introduction from Maritime Anti-Corruption Network". The Workshop recommended that the PSC regimes work together with other stakeholders to strengthen integrity, professionalism and transparency, whilst also stressing the need for improvements to data collection as well as verification to ensure the accuracy of the findings.