The Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) has been proactive in analysing Port State Control data to enhance fleet performance. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Port State Control (PSC) inspection data for the years 2023-2025, highlighting key trends and areas for improvement.
The analysis underscores the importance of targeted interventions to enhance the safety and compliance of Cyprus-flagged vessels. Shipowners and managers are encouraged to focus on the identified areas of concern, particularly regarding vessel age, type, and common deficiency categories. By addressing these issues proactively, the Cyprus fleet can improve its PSC performance and uphold its commitment to maritime safety and quality. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Port State Control inspection data, highlighting key trends and areas for improvement.
The comprehensive 51-page report, annexed to the Circular, provides a detailed statistical analysis of Port State Control (PSC) inspections and detentions of Cyprus-flagged vessels worldwide. It reaffirms the Cyprus flag’s position on the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU White Lists and underscores the fleet’s overall high compliance standards.
- USCG leads with lowest detention ratios: The United States Coast Guard regime continues to record the lowest detention ratios, thanks to strict pre-screening and high compliance levels among inspected Cyprus vessels.
- Paris and Tokyo MoUs show higher activity: Both regions report comparatively higher detention and deficiency ratios. The Paris MoU consistently records the highest inspection deficiency ratios during the three-year period.
- Tokyo MoU trend: Detention ratios remain moderate but are gradually increasing, possibly due to strengthened inspection procedures or shifts in fleet composition.
- Maintenance is the top issue: Across all major regimes (US, Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU), maintenance-related deficiencies are the most common cause of detentions, pointing to opportunities for stronger implementation of the vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS), particularly planned maintenance and equipment upkeep.
- Fire safety dominates: Fire safety-related deficiencies represent the single largest category of detainable deficiencies identified during inspections.
- Vessel characteristics matter:
- Ships over 10 years of age face a significantly higher detention risk.
- Bulk carriers, container ships, and general cargo vessels show higher exposure to detentions.
- Geographical hotspots:
- The highest number of detentions occurred in China, followed by the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
- In 2025, the ports with the highest detention frequency were: Shenzhen, Ningbo, and Guangzhou (China), Houston (United States), and Gladstone (Australia).
Total detentions rose to 55 in 2025 (from 40 in 2023 and 38 in 2024), while deficiency trends across regimes are illustrated in the report’s detailed monthly and yearly charts.
The annual PSC Performance Report has become a key reference tool for shipowners, managers, and classification societies operating under the Cyprus flag. By transparently sharing data-driven insights, the SDM continues to support the industry in maintaining Cyprus’s reputation as a high-quality, responsible flag state.
Shipowners and managers are encouraged to review the report in detail and implement targeted improvements in the identified focus areas ahead of the 2026 inspection season.
Full advisory at the following link.