PSCC25 Press Release
Istanbul, TÜRKİYE – The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Black Sea Region (BS MoU) commemorated its 25th anniversary during the Twenty-Fifth Meeting of the Port State Control Committee (PSCC25), held from 14 to 17 April 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye, where the Memorandum was originally signed on 7 April 2000. Since its full entry into force on 12 December 2002 for all six maritime States, the Black Sea MoU has played a vital role in promoting maritime safety, environmental protection and the elimination of substandard shipping in the region.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Kristina RZGOEVA, Deputy Director of the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia. Director General of Maritime Affairs of Türkiye, Capt. Unal BAYLAN delivered the welcome address and formally opened the session. In his opening speech, Capt. BAYLAN first welcomed all delegates to Istanbul and highlighted the strategic importance of the Black Sea in global maritime trade and underscored the collective responsibility of member States in ensuring maritime safety and environmental protection. He emphasized Türkiye’s pivotal role in the region’s maritime sector and reiterated the importance of unified port State control practices, regional cooperation and joint efforts to keep substandard ships away from Black Sea ports. His speech also honoured the 25th anniversary of the Committee, celebrating the ongoing commitment of member States to uphold international maritime standards.
The twenty-fifth 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 Azerbaijan, Moldova, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Abuja MoU, the Mediterranean MoU, the Paris MoU, the Tokyo MoU, the Viňa del Mar Agreement and the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution attended to the meeting. Observers of Kazakhstan, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Caribbean MoU, the Indian Ocean MoU, the Riyadh MoU and USCG were unable to attend.
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