On 17 September, the China MSA official website released the August PSC detention statistics for mainland ports. The editor has sorted through the full dataset: 55 vessels detained across 24 ports, with 222 detention-related deficiencies recorded. Shanghai and Guangzhou tied for first place, with 7 detentions each; Tianjin followed with 6 detentions.

Bulk carriers and general cargo ships accounted for 40 detentions, making up 73% of the total. Twenty Panamanian‑flagged vessels were detained, representing 36%.

Common deficiency items will not be covered here. This time we will look at new inspection tactics adopted by PSCOs, rarely-seen items that only emerge once every six months, and how they characterise deficiencies.

I. August Overview

The majority of detained vessels had 2 to 4 detention deficiencies, total 40 vessels. There was one outlier: a bulk carrier named SEA SAFE 007 was issued 15 detention deficiencies by PSC, making it the vessel with the highest number this month.

II. Four Cases: New Tactics Adopted by PSCOs

Case 1: MV SEA SAFE 007 - New Detention Record Set by PSCO at Humen

**Vessel Particulars**

Flag: São Tomé and Príncipe

Type: Bulk Carrier

GT: 5,967

Port: Humen

Inspection Period: 3 Aug - 7 Aug

Total Detention Deficiencies: 15

Detention Duration: 4 days

**Bilingual Deficiency List (PSC standard wording)**

PSCReady Editor: 15 deficiencies, the highest count this month. Half of the findings were documentation items: EIAPP, SEA, EEDI files, SEEMP, technical records, damage control plans and fire control plans. The other half were hardware defects centred on fire safety and lifesaving appliances - critical safety equipment.

It is plain to see that this is an ageing small vessel with poor management, nearly at the end of its service life. The 15 detention deficiencies were fully justified. Given the current maritime safety climate, the PSCO had to detain the ship while ensuring it could be safely released. Few realise how much pressure this PSCO had to bear to finally let the vessel sail. It was no easy task.

Case 2: MV CMA CGM VOLTAIRE - Zhoushan PSCO Focuses on Crew Competence Rather Than Equipment

**Vessel Particulars**

Flag: Malta | Type: Container Ship | GT: 71,112 | Port: Zhoushan

Inspection Period: 31 Aug – 1 Sep | Total Detention Deficiencies: 2 | Detention Duration: 1 day

**Bilingual Deficiency List**

PSCReady Editor: A 71,112 GT large container vessel under CMA CGM, classed with ABS. Only two detention deficiencies led to detention, which fully demonstrates the high proficiency of this PSCO.

The first deficiency originated from abandon ship drill, falling under SOLAS III/19.3.3: drills shall be conducted monthly with full crew participation. The PSCO witnessed the drill: crew could not be fully assembled, personnel were unfamiliar with operational steps, and release procedures jammed. The inspector directly recorded it as “Abandon ship drills failure”. This was the only detention case caused by “inadequate drills in the whole August”.

Most vessels inspected for drills this year got detained for “going through the motions without real practice”.

The second deficiency concerned the remote release device in the engine room. This item requires in-depth testing and is beyond the capability of average PSCOs. It is worth noting that another vessel ZHONG XIE 8 detained in Zhoushan also had the same defect on remote release devices. This indicates there is an experienced PSCO focusing on this item in Zhoushan MSA. Shipowners and operators must pay close attention to this inspection item.

Case 3: MV MARUHUB - Lianyungang PSCO Targets Document Deficiencies, 10-day Detention

**Vessel Particulars**

Flag: United Republic of Tanzania

Ship Type: Special-purpose vessel

GT: 2,907

Port: Lianyungang

Inspection Period: 25 Aug - 4 Sep

Total Deficiencies: 8

Detention Duration: 10 days

**Bilingual Deficiency List (PSC standard wording)**

PSCReady Editor: Among the 8 deficiencies, one item concerns the flag State endorsement. Pursuant to STCW Regulation I/2, seafarers’ certificates are valid only with endorsement by the flag State. Missing endorsement means the seafarer is serving on board with an invalid certificate, which is a direct ground for detention.

Case 4: MV CFL JOYSTAR - Shanghai PSCO Conducts a Full Hull Inspection

**Vessel Particulars**

Flag: Panama

Vessel Type: Bulk Carrier

GT: 25,965 | Port: Shanghai

Inspection Period: 31 Aug - 6 Sep

Total Detention Deficiencies: 5

Detention Duration: 6 days

**Bilingual Deficiency List**

PSCReady Editor: The Port of Shanghai has consistently set the benchmark. Seven vessels were detained here this month, four of which were detained for structural deficiencies. Hull corrosion on MV CFL JOYSTAR was recorded as a detention item, alongside non-conformities concerning permanent means of access (PMA) and fire boundaries.

The PSCO did not merely examine equipment after boarding. He inspected the hull shell, access routes and penetrations. Afterwards, the emergency generator test was ordered; failure to start resulted in an additional deficiency.

III Signature Inspection Tactics of PSCOs at Different Ports

Guangzhou: The strictest. 7 vessels detained with 35 detention deficiencies, averaging 5 deficiencies per vessel. Inspections cover anti‑pollution, navigation safety and statutory documentation, with oil tankers and oil/chemical tankers as key targets. MV PANCARAN HARMONY alone received 7 deficiencies, covering VDR, BNWAS, DOC and technical files.

Tianjin: Focus on fire safety. 6 vessels detained with 28 deficiencies, 14 of which relate to fire safety. Fire doors, fire boundaries and ventilation systems are checked item by item.

Zhoushan: Strengthened practical crew competency inspections, mainly including abandon ship drills, enclosed space entry drills and alarm function tests.

Yingkou: Pre-emptive preparation for the CIC campaign, checking Cargo Securing Manuals and securing fittings.

Surveyors are responsible for vessel quality control. To be frank, the number of deficiencies and the safety status of a vessel are highly related to the surveyor’s certification standard. Out of the 222 deficiencies, 70 items are attributed to Recognised Organisations (ROs), accounting for 31.5%. PSC is stepping up accountability against ROs. Surveyors shall pay close attention to this trend.

August is over. The wind season is approaching, and PSC inspections will intensify.

Ageing equipment itself is not the main risk; neglect of maintenance is. Fellow seafarers, carry out a self - inspection before arrival: check whether ventilators can be fully closed, verify all alarms and ensure drills have been properly conducted.

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