On April 15, the China MSA officially released the March PSC detention data for mainland China. Below is an analysis and reminder based on the official data.

I. Data Overview: A total of 124 ships were detained, with an average detention duration of 2.8 days.

According to the statistics on China's PSC detention data for March 2026, a total of 124 ships were detained nationwide this month, involving 19 flag states, 39 ports and 12 ship types. In terms of detention duration, the average detention period stood at 2.8 days, with a median of 2 days. The longest detention lasted 15 days, while the shortest vessels were released on the same day.

From the perspective of overall data distribution, China’s PSC inspections in this month show the following characteristics:

Extensive inspection coverage: Covering 39 ports across the country, reflecting the comprehensiveness and standardization of China's PSC inspection work.

Controllable detention cycle: 85.8% of detained ships completed rectification and were released within 3 days, indicating a high efficiency of deficiency rectification.

High risk concentration: Flag states, ship types and deficiency types all show obvious centralized characteristics.

II. Flag State Risk Analysis: Panamanian-flagged vessels take an absolute dominant position, with high-risk flag states showing distinct characteristics.

For tacit reasons, the detention number of Panamanian-flagged vessels remains persistently high.

March detention data shows that 92 Panamanian-flagged ships were detained, accounting for 74.2% of the total detained vessels, far exceeding all other flag states.

Panama is the world's largest flag state of convenience. A large number of its vessels call at Chinese ports, while there are prominent loopholes in ship safety management.

Apart from Panama, the flag states with relatively high detention numbers this month are listed as follows:

Liberia: 5 vessels (4.0%)

Marshall Islands: 4 vessels (3.2%)

Cameroon: 4 vessels (3.2%)

Belize: 3 vessels (2.4%)

It is noteworthy that the above-mentioned flag states are mostly open registry flag states (flag of convenience states). Vessels under these flags are usually managed by third-party management companies. The separation of ship ownership and ship management often leads to inadequate implementation of management responsibilities.

III. Port Inspection Characteristics: The Port of Shanghai ranks far ahead in vessel detentions, followed closely by the Port of Dalian.

The top 10 ports by number of detained vessels this month are as follows:

Port of Shanghai: 18 vessels (14.5%)

Port of Dalian: 9 vessels (7.3%)

Dongjiakou Port: 6 vessels (4.8%)

Port of Tianjin: 6 vessels (4.8%)

Port of Zhoushan: 6 vessels (4.8%)

Port of Ningbo: 6 vessels (4.8%)

Port of Guangzhou: 6 vessels (4.8%)

Port of Lianyungang: 5 vessels (4.03%)

Shenzhen Port: 5 vessels (4.03%)

Yingkou Port: 5 vessels (4.03%)

A total of 99 vessels were detained at the top 10 ports, accounting for 80% of the national total detentions. This reflects that PSC inspections at these key ports have become regularized and standardized.

IV. Vessel Type Distribution: Bulk carriers dominate detained ships, with four vessel types accounting for over 80% of the total.

The distribution of detained vessel types this month shows obvious centralized characteristics:

Bulk carriers: 51 vessels (41.1%), ranking the highest proportion

General cargo / Multi-purpose ships: 17 vessels (13.7%)

Container ships: 17 vessels (13.7%)

Oil tankers / Chemical tankers: 12 vessels (9.7%)

A total of 97 vessels of the above four types were detained, accounting for 78.2% of all detentions, and they are the key focus of China’s PSC inspections.

V. In-depth Analysis of Deficiency Types: Fire safety deficiencies rank first, with four major categories accounting for over 95% of the total.

Ship detention deficiencies this month are mainly concentrated in four major categories, with the specific distribution as follows:

Fire safety deficiencies: 38 vessels (30.6%) recorded such detention deficiencies, ranking first.

Life-saving equipment deficiencies: 28 vessels (22.6%) recorded such detention deficiencies, ranking second.

Navigation safety deficiencies: 26 vessels (21.0%) recorded such detention deficiencies, tying for third place.

Pollution prevention deficiencies: 26 vessels (21.0%) recorded such detention deficiencies, tying for third place.

Detention items under fire safety deficiencies mainly include the following five items:

1. Insufficient pressure or leakage of the fire-fighting system

2. Functional failure of fire pumps and emergency fire pumps

3. Expired or under-pressured fire extinguishers

4. Poor closure or damage of fire doors

5. Blockage or corrosion of fire water pipelines

Detention items under life-saving equipment deficiencies mainly include the following five items:

1. Malfunction of release devices for lifeboats / rescue boats

2. Expired life rafts or insufficient inflation pressure

3. Missing or damaged life jackets

4. Expired or missing life-saving signal equipment

5. Damaged or improperly fixed embarkation ladders

Detention items under navigation safety deficiencies mainly include the following five items:

1. Failure of navigation equipment such as radar and GPS

2. Inaccurate rudder angle indicators

3. Excessive errors of magnetic compass and gyrocompass

4. Damage to navigation lights and signal lights

5. Malfunction of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)

Detention items under pollution prevention deficiencies mainly include the following five items:

1. Malfunction of oily water separators or excessive discharge

2. Irregular entries in the Oil Record Book

3. Missing or damaged oil spill response equipment

4. Malfunction of sewage treatment plants

5. Non-compliance of garbage management with the requirements of MARPOL Convention

VI. Emphasis on two key points

1. For shipowners, if your vessel flies the Panamanian flag and regularly calls at Chinese ports, it is advisable to replace the flag as soon as possible. If you do not opt for the Yangpu flag, the Hong Kong flag is also a viable alternative. If you are unwilling to change the flag, you may adjust the shipping route instead.

2. As far as crew members are concerned, they are the biggest victims once their ship is detained during a PSC inspection. Therefore, thorough self-inspection must be completed prior to port arrival. Special attention shall be paid to the four major categories of deficiencies: fire safety, life-saving equipment, navigation safety and pollution prevention.

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