PSCC24 Press Release

Batumi, Georgia – Representatives of the Port State Control Committee, the governing body under the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Black Sea Region (BS MoU), met in-person presence in Batumi, Georgia, for the twenty-fourth session from 26 to 28 March 2024. Those who were unable to attend were given the opportunity to participate online.
The meeting was chaired by Captain Cosmin Laurențiu Dumitrache, General Director of the Romanian Naval Authority.

Director of the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia, Mr. Aleksi Akhvlediani delivered a welcome speech and officially declared the opening of the meeting. In his opening speech, Mr. Akhvlediani first welcomed all delegates to Batumi and emphasized the importance of collaboration among member states to ensure navigation safety in the Black Sea region. Mr. Akhvlediani highlighted the crucial role of port state control in maritime safety and environmental protection globally, with particular significance in the Black Sea and underscored Georgia's commitment to fulfilling its international obligations and improving transport connectivity, focusing on port infrastructure development and digitalization initiatives. The opening speech was concluded by expressing gratitude to the organizing committee and wishing for a productive meeting.

The twenty-fourth meeting of the Port State Control Committee was attended by all the 6 member Authorities of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, the Russian Federation, Türkiye and Ukraine and observers of Moldova, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Abuja MoU, the Indian Ocean MoU, the Tokyo MoU and the Viňa del Mar Agreement attended to the meeting. Observers of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Caribbean MoU, the Paris MoU, the Riyadh MoU, USCG and the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution were unable to attend.

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