A training session led by IMO was held in Anjouan, Comoros (7-11 April) to strengthen Port State Control (PSC) capabilities and support maritime safety, security and environmental compliance in the region.  

Port State Control refers to the inspection of foreign-flagged ships at national ports to verify their compliance with international regulations and ensure that they are safely and properly operated.  

A total of 16 Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) participated in the training, including 12 officers from the Comoros Maritime Agency (ANAM – Agence Nationale des Affaires Maritimes) and four from the Madagascar Maritime and Port Agency (APMF – Agence Portuaire Maritime et Fluviale).  

The training combined classroom instruction, practical case studies, and hands-on inspection simulations aboard a vessel docked at the Port of Mutsamudu. Participants from Comoros and Madagascar exchanged expertise and best practices, including on inspection techniques and security-related compliance, fostering regional cooperation.  

Key objectives of the training included: 

  • Providing direct support for conducting PSC inspections, in line with international safety, security, and environmental standards. 
  • Ensuring all designated PSCOs in Comoros are fully equipped to conduct effective PSC inspections that contribute to the overall security of the port. 
  • Strengthening the quality and effectiveness of PSC inspections in ports across the Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region, supporting broader port safety and security compliance efforts. 

The training was part of the EU-funded Port Security Project, implemented by IMO, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to support maritime security in the Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) regions.