The inspection of foreign-flagged ships in national ports to verify that the condition of the vessel and its equipment complies with the requirements of international conventions. Port State Control is coordinated through regional agreements known as Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), such as the Paris MOU and Tokyo MOU.
Also known as: PSC.
Category: Maritime Law & Regulations
On The Maritime
The desks where this concept is measured.
In the Glossary
Port State ControlPSC
The inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify they meet international safety and environmental standards.
Read the full explanation in the GlossaryRelated terms
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Back to DictionaryEntry updated May 2026