Port State Control Course

Port State Control is a rapidly and constantly changing area for shipowners, operators and maritime administrations.

It demands particularly high standards of technical knowledge with respect to ship operations and their related regulations according to international conventions, and other national or regional instruments in order to promote both maritime safety and the flow of commerce.

This well established certificated course, which is a pioneer in its field – now in its twenty-third year – is well respected internationally, having been attended by representatives from a large number of countries. Their backgrounds have included maritime officials, port state inspectors, surveyors, port and harbour managers, P&I clubs, regional MOUs, marine superintendents and DPAs.

The course provides a thorough and clear up-to-date guide and analysis to the main port state control conventions, amendments and related codes, inspection procedures and key developments in port state control in MOU. A further feature of the course concentrates on the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS).

Above all, there is considerable opportunity to discuss issues and raise questions in what is an informal and lively atmosphere.

Port State Control course is conducted under the direction of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The faculty consists of senior speakers drawn from international organisations and maritime agencies from the UK and other European countries. The course material has been structured as an comprehensive workshop and is complimented by port and vessel visits.

Programme Highlights:

• The operation of Port State Control
• Latest developments and amendments to the major conventions including:
  • SOLAS
  • MARPOL 73/78 & Annexes
  • BCH/IBC Codes
  • IMSBC Code
  • HSC Code
• International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
• ISM Code Implementation
• Relationship between PSC and Flag State Control
• Revised procedures on ship documentation and harmonised certification and enhanced inspection practice
• PSC and the IMDG Code
• Port State Control Inspection Systems
• Developments in Regional Co-operation
• Visits to ports and specialised vessels

Speakers on the course include a number of leading industry experts from organisations such as the Paris MOU on Port State Control, Lloydʼs Register, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), the European Union, INMARSAT and SIGTTO.

Course Directors: Mr Michael Howlett, Assistant Director, ICC International Maritime Bureau, and Professor R P Barston, a specialist in maritime safety; international maritime and other conventions; and port state inspection. Professor Barston is a former member of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, serving in the Maritime, Aviation and Environment Department, including Law of the Sea negotiations. In the UK, he has taught at several universities including London School of Economics (Director of the Marine Policy Programme), Lancaster, Cardiff and in the United States. He has also taught in Trieste (IMO), on Flag and Port State Control and is an IMO consultant.

Click here to download a course brochure.