On May 3-4, 2017, in Vancouver, Canada, 29 countries from the Paris MoU and the Tokyo MoU have signed a new Ministerial Declaration on Port State Control. The declaration encloses some key Danish issues such as the application of the sulphur regulations and the Polar Code, which is an international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters issued by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

In addition to the 29 countries, IMO Secretary General, a representative of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as well as the International Shipping Federation (ISF), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) attended the conference.

The Director-General of the Danish Maritime Authority, Andreas Nordseth, commented: “Port State Control is an important part of ensuring compliance with international regulation. That’s why it is gratifying to see that Danish key issues on enforcement of the sulphur regulations and the Polar Code have been included in the declaration. It is important to Denmark that environmental considerations are taken worldwide”.

In addition to the sulphur regulations and the Polar Code, the declaration focuses on other areas such as the acceptance of electronic certificates, more transparency and reductions of the burdens imposed on the industry in connection with PSC inspections.

According to the Danish Maritime Authority, PSC inspections have proved to be an effective tool to ensure compliance with international regulations and to reduce the number of defects and non-conformities detected during the inspection, for the benefit of safety, the environment and seafarers.

Davide Scavuzzo