Paris MOU Committee has issued instruction 58/2025/11 which is guidelines related to security aspect for PSC inspection.
This document is intended to provide guidance on the ISPS Code during inspections. The PSCO should
be aware of the security level of the port facility at which a ship is to be inspected.
Reports or complaints, which relate to security received by PSCO’s prior to boarding the ship should be
passed to the competent security authority who will decide on priority for security inspection by an Officer
Duly Authorised for Security.
While the Master of a ship has discretion for ship security, they are not entitled to deny access to a duly
authorised PSCO to carry out an inspection of the vessel. There may be cases when it is mandatory to
carry out a port state control inspection but the master attempts to limit the inspection on grounds of
security. If the PSCO considers this to be unreasonable they should consult the competent security
authority.
PSCO’s should be aware that on a ship at security level 3 the protective measures set up might restrict
the scope of the “safety” port State control inspection. For example, a full emergency drill may not be
allowed. There may also be circumstances where the competent security authority restricts port state
control activity. PSCOs should be guided by their national policy around attending vessels in ports at
security level 3.
The guidelines has Annex 1 which has checklist for each security level of the port with respect to various security aspect for initial inspection. Annex 2 of the guidelines has guidelines for the additional control measures after initial inspection.