Cargo securing on the PSC agenda
As port state control authorities prepare to step up inspections of cargo securing arrangements, ship operators should ensure that manuals and procedures are in line with IMO requirements and guidance, that securing equipment is in good working order, and that crews are properly trained. Joint inspection campaign on cargo securing From 1 September to 30 ...
In September 2026, Port State Control authorities will intensify inspections of cargo securing arrangements on ships. This concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) will target ships carrying non-bulk cargoes, bulk carriers and tankers that have a Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) on board. The Paris and Tokyo MOUs will lead the campaign, which will also invite other PSC regimes to participate.
Important focus areas include having an approved, ship-specific CSM, crew familiarity with its requirements, proper stowage and securing of cargo in line with the manual, cargo plans reflecting verified gross mass (VGM) of containers, availability of a Cargo Safe Access Plan (CSAP), carrying approved portable securing devices, and preventing cargo loss overboard.
The campaign aims to emphasize the practical safety concerns and compliance issues associated with cargo securing. Poorly secured cargo can cause ship instability, crew danger, cargo damage, or loss overboard, leading to navigational or environmental hazards. The campaign will look for compliance with the IMO Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing and the Revised guidelines for the preparation of the CSM.
Previous campaigns have shown that most ships have a CSM, but some manuals do not fully comply with IMO guidance. Therefore, the campaign serves as a reminder for ship operators to review their cargo securing arrangements, test their effectiveness, and ensure that they are up to date, understood, and applied by personnel involved in cargo operations.
Written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.