The Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) has published its 2025 Annual Report, providing a comprehensive overview of Port State Control (PSC) inspections carried out across Europe. The report highlights current compliance trends, the most common deficiencies, and key areas where shipowners and crews should focus their attention.
According to the report, 16,474 PSC inspections were conducted during 2025. Inspectors identified 51,797 deficiencies, while 688 ships were detained, resulting in an overall detention rate of 4.18%, up from 4.03% in 2024. The number of refusals of access (port bans) also increased to 19, indicating continued strict enforcement against substandard ships.
For yet another year, fire safety remained the largest deficiency category. Deficiencies related to SOLAS Chapter II-2 accounted for 16.8% of all findings, with fire doors, openings in fire-resisting divisions, and fire protection systems among the most frequently recorded issues. These findings emphasize the importance of regular maintenance, crew training, and effective onboard safety management.
The report also confirms that the White, Grey, and Black Lists of flag States remain broadly stable. Based on inspection performance over the 2023–2025 period, the White List now includes 40 flag States, while 19 are classified on the Grey List and 10 on the Black List. These rankings play an important role in determining a vessel’s risk profile and inspection frequency in European ports.
Paris MoU officials noted that the continuing rise in detention rates cannot be attributed to a single convention or deficiency category. Instead, it reflects broader compliance challenges across the global shipping industry. They also highlighted the growing need for international cooperation to combat false flags and fraudulent certification, which have become increasing concerns for maritime authorities.
For seafarers, the report serves as a valuable reminder of the areas that receive the greatest attention during PSC inspections. For shipowners and managers, it underscores the importance of maintaining vessels in full compliance with international regulations, ensuring proper crew familiarization, and strengthening onboard safety management systems before arriving at European ports.
