According to the latest port state control inspection data released by the China Maritime Safety Administration, a total of 53 ships were detained nationwide in December 2025. The average gross tonnage of these detained vessels was 34,145 GT. The longest detention period lasted 17 days, the shortest was only 1 day, and the average detention period was 3.7 days.

By ship type, bulk carriers remained the most detained type, with 19 vessels, accounting for 35.8% of the total. They were followed by general cargo/multi-purpose vessels (13) and container ships (8).

I. Hot Ports with Ship Detentions

Data shows that Tangshan Port, Shanghai Port, Taicang Port, and Tianjin Port recorded the highest number of ship detentions this month, with 4 vessels detained at each port. They are followed by Zhoushan Port and Shenzhen Port, where 3 ships were detained at each.

The top 14 ports with 2 or more ship detentions are listed below:

Tangshan Port: 4 vessels, Shanghai Port: 4 vessels, Taicang Port: 4 vessels, Tianjin Port: 4 vessels;

Zhoushan Port: 3 vessels, Shenzhen Port: 3 vessels;

Yantai Port: 2 vessels, Ningbo Port: 2 vessels, Huanghua Port: 2 vessels, Qingdao Port: 2 vessels,

Dalian Port: 2 vessels, Humen Port: 2 vessels, Lianyungang: 2 vessels, Weifang Port: 2 vessels.

Tangshan Port, Shanghai Port, Taicang Port, and Tianjin Port are the ports with the most ship detentions this month. Vessels detained at these ports were found to have multiple deficiencies, mainly concentrated in fire safety, pollution prevention equipment, and life-saving appliances.

Tangshan Port: Structural Safety and Fire Safety as Key PSC Inspection Focuses

Among the 4 vessels detained at Tangshan Port, a total of 10 detention deficiencies were issued during PSC inspections.

These mainly relate to: Watertight/weathertight integrity (e.g., deficiency codes 03105, 03108, 03109, involving hatch covers, ventilators, engine room openings, etc.)

Fire safety (e.g., codes 07114, 07117, covering oil leakage alarms for high-pressure pipe casings, remote control device failures).

For example: The bulk carrier AFRICAN CHEETAH was detained due to insufficient hatch cover sealing and ventilator deficiencies. The general cargo ship PU ZHENG was detained due to missing crew employment agreements and fire alarm system issues.

The detained vessels are mainly bulk carriers and general cargo ships with a relatively high average age (around 20 years), indicating that older vessels are the key focus of PSC inspections at this port.

Shanghai Port: Particular Focus on ISM Compliance and Firefighting Equipment

Among the 4 vessels detained at Shanghai Port, a total of 19 deficiencies were issued during PSC inspections. The detention deficiencies mainly concerned ISM Code compliance (codes 15150, 15109) and fire protection systems (codes 07106, 07109, 07114).

For example: The container ship CONTI COURAGE was detained due to the failure of the pollution prevention alarm and fire dampers, and classification society DNV was held responsible.

The bulk carrier SEACON FUKUOKA was detained due to incomplete ISM maintenance records and issues with the fixed fire-fighting system, and classification society NKK was held responsible.

The bulk carrier JIN MING 68 had problems with the emergency fire pump and ballast management certificate, and classification society OMCS was also held responsible.

50% of the detained vessels (2 ships) were issued SMS (Safety Management System) deficiencies, highlighting the intensity of PSC inspections on ISM compliance.

75% of the detained vessels (3 ships) resulted in classification societies being held responsible, reflecting a strong emphasis by PSC on holding classification societies accountable.

Taicang Port: Key Focus on Life-Saving Appliances and Emergency Systems

Deficiencies at Taicang Port are mainly concentrated in lifeboats, liferafts and their launching appliances (deficiency codes 11101, 11108, 11113) and emergency systems (code 04102, issues with emergency fire pump).

For example: The chemical/oil tanker CHEMWAY ARROW was detained due to emergency fire pump failure, escape route deficiencies and faulty fire doors.

The gas carrier GAS FAIRWAY was detained due to rescue boat launching appliance failure.

All 4 detained vessels had defects related to lifeboats or rescue boats, indicating that PSC officers at Taicang Port with deck background have strong inspection capabilities.

Tianjin Port: Pollution Prevention and Life-Saving Appliances as Main Detention Causes

Detention deficiencies at Tianjin Port mainly involve pollution prevention equipment (e.g., failures of oily water separators, sewage treatment plants and incinerators, deficiency codes 14108, 14402, 14608) and life-saving appliances (code 11101).

For example: The bulk carrier ALISIOS was detained due to invalid sewage treatment plant and lifeboat deficiencies.

The oil tanker TROMSO was detained due to issues with the sewage system and fire separation.

75% of detained vessels (3 ships) had deficiencies related to MARPOL Annex I/IV/VI, demonstrating that PSC inspections at Tianjin Port are particularly thorough in checking environmental protection equipment.

II. Flag State and Classification Society Analysis

From the perspective of flag States, Panama-flagged vessels remained the most detained, with a total of 23 ships, accounting for as high as 43.4%. São Tomé and Príncipe-flagged vessels (4 ships) and Liberia-flagged vessels (4 ships) ranked second and third respectively.

In terms of classification societies: NKK (ClassNK) certified vessels had 13 detentions, ranking first. Vessels certified by Overseas Marine Certification Services (OMCS) had 7 detentions, ranking second.

III. Analysis of Main Deficiencies

An in-depth analysis of deficiency types on detained vessels reveals that the following categories are most prominent:

Pollution Prevention Equipment Deficiencies : Deficiencies related to oily water separators under MARPOL Annex I are the most common. Among them, the deficiency 1410 - Pollution Prevention - MARPOL Annex I - Oily Water Separating Equipment occurred 9 times, making it the leading deficiency causing ship detentions this month.

Fire Safety Deficiencies : These include deficiencies in fixed fire-fighting systems, integrity of fire-resisting structures, ventilation systems, and other areas. Frequently recorded deficiencies include : 07109 - Fire Safety - Fixed Fire-Fighting Installations; 07117 - Fire Safety - High-Pressure Pipe Penetrations and Oil Leak Alarms; 07116 - Fire Safety - Ventilation Systems

Life-Saving Appliance Deficiencies : Deficiencies related to 11101 - Life-Saving Appliances - Lifeboats are also one of the major causes of ship detentions.

IV. Recommendations

Based on the above analysis, PSCReady provides the following recommendations to shipowners and ship management companies:

1. Strengthen maintenance of pollution prevention equipment

Focus on inspecting key anti-pollution facilities such as oily water separators, sewage treatment plants and incinerators, to ensure their proper operation and compliance with relevant regulations.

2. Improve fire safety system management

Regularly inspect fixed fire-fighting systems, ventilation systems, fire-resisting structures and other fire safety facilities, and replace aged or damaged components in a timely manner.

3. Attach importance to the maintenance of life-saving appliances

Strictly maintain lifeboats, liferafts and other life-saving appliances in accordance with regulations, to ensure their proper functioning in emergency situations.

4. Conduct self-inspection and rectification in advance

Prior to arrival at a port, carry out a comprehensive self-inspection, identify and rectify potential deficiencies promptly, and avoid vessel detention caused by minor defects.

This month is the coldest period in northern China. Pipelines of emergency fire pumps are prone to freezing, while emergency generators, lifeboats and rescue boats may fail to start. Shipping companies are urged to attach high priority to Port State Control inspections. For ports with a high number of detentions, including Tangshan, Shanghai, Taicang and Tianjin, ships shall make thorough preparations before berthing to ensure all equipment is in good condition. Efforts shall continue to improve the level of ship safety management, and jointly maintain the sustained stability of China’s maritime traffic safety.

------------------------Reprinted from PSCReady