What to expect from Port State Control inspections

How vessels are selected

Maritime NZ is a risk-based regulator focused on harm prevention and our PSC inspection activity is focused on vessels that pose the highest risk.

PSC inspection data is recorded in the Asia-Pacific Computerized Information System (APCIS) for information exchange across member authorities and other PSC MOU’s

The Tokyo MOU ship risk profile and inspection priority for ships is determined in APCIS as per the New Inspection Regime (NIR).

Maritime NZ utilises a combination of NIR and other overriding criteria, including but not limited to notifications from other maritime Authorities, master, crew, ports or pilots when selecting ships for inspection.

How inspections are conducted

Our inspections are conducted in accordance with the guidance from the International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization for port State control.

They are a snapshot of compliance at a specific point in time. 

Regional co-operation allows Tokyo MOU members to share information on inspection results and allows regional follow-up of deficiencies where required.

Initial inspection

During an initial inspection Maritime NZ will check:

• the ship has valid certificates
• compliance with requirements of applicable certificates
• the overall condition of the ship, equipment, and crew working and living conditions

Clear Grounds / More Detailed Inspection (MDI)

If the ship does not carry valid certificates, or our inspector believes or finds evidence that the condition of the ship or its equipment does not conform to its certification, or the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures, a more detailed inspection (MDI) will be conducted.

Suspension of inspection

In exceptional circumstances, if a more detailed inspection reveals detainable deficiencies and the overall condition of the ship and its equipment, taking into account crew conditions, is substandard, the inspector may suspend the inspection.

The suspension will continue until the responsible parties, including the ship's Flag state and Class society have taken steps to ensure the ship fully complies with relevant requirements, and Maritime NZ is informed of this and invited back for re-inspection.

If deficiencies are found

Where deficiencies are found to be clearly hazardous to safety, health, security or the environment, or the ship is obviously substandard, appropriate action will be taken, which may include detention or a formal prohibition of a ship to continue an operation.

The inspector will use their professional judgement to determine timeframes for rectification.

Closing out deficiencies

If your ship has been detained, any required deficiencies will need to be resolved before the ship can be released.

Depending on the number and nature of deficiencies, these may require approval from the ship's Flag state and/or Class society before Maritime NZ attendance on board.

Deficiencies issued in the Tokyo MOU cannot be closed until the corrective action is sighted and verified by our inspectors or by a PSC officer in the Tokyo MOU.

If a ship requires a follow up inspection to close out PSC deficiencies issued during a PSC inspection conducted by Maritime NZ or by any other authority within the Tokyo MOU, they may request attendance by

Follow up inspections, including release from detention are billable. All invoices will be sent directly to the ship’s agent.

Follow up inspections are currently charged at NZD $245 per hour. For the latest list of all fees and levies please see below link.