Istanbul, Turkey – In the light of the current tense geopolitical situation, 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), by virtual means, for the Twenty-second session from 12 to 13 April 2022.
The meeting was chaired by Captain Alexandar ILIEV - Harbour Master of Port Burgas, Bulgaria.
Captain ILIEV officially declared the opening of the meeting and made a welcome speech. In his opening speech, Capt. Iliev firstly welcomed all delegates. Expressing that the Region is passing through difficult days, Capt. Iliev recalled the common understanding of main principles for PSC and stressed the fundamental role of port State control for the high level of vessel safety standards that are essential for safe and clean seas. He also revealed the convincement on the continuing role of the Black Sea MoU to be the important part of the international cooperation and efforts for safe and clean Oceans.
The Port State Control Committee has considered and agreed that, noting the global impact of the Covid-19, there is the practical need to apply flexibility under these special circumstances. Within the Black Sea region, national measures will be implemented by member authorities that are, to a large extent affecting the port State control regime. While the Covid-19 remains an issue, the following guidelines should be applied on a case by case basis by member Authorities of the BS MoU.
The member Authorities of the Memorandum of Understanding on PSC in the Black Sea Region (BS MoU) will conduct a concentrated inspection campaign on Stability in General.
The three-month campaign will start on September 1st, 2021 and end on November 30th, 2021 under the co-ordination of Romanian Naval Authority. The campaign shall be conducted simultaneously with the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU and other MoUs.
We are pleased to present the twentieth issue of the Annual Report on Port State Control in the Black Sea region which is published under the auspices of the Port State Control Committee of the Black Sea MOU.
Port State Control is of particular importance to the BS MOU member Authorities due to the role of shipping in region’s trade, the sensitivity of the Black Sea basin and its coastline to environmental damage. PSC inspections are conducted to ensure that foreign ships visiting the Black Sea ports are seaworthy, do not pose a pollution risk, provide a healthy and safe environment and comply with relevant international regulations and within the scope of the member Authorities’ national governing laws and regulations.
This PSC Annual report covers the period between 1st January and 31st December 2020, a year dominated by the global Covid-19 pandemic that changed the world, affected millions of people and also caused significant impact on BS MOU activities. During this period national measures affecting the port State control regime was implemented by the BS MOU member Authorities due to ongoing pandemic.
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