Port State Control

Port State control is the inspection of foreign flagged ships in national ports by Port State Control Officers (PSCO).This inspection is conducted to  ensure  compliance with International shipping laws and serve as a backup to flag state duties which would also entail control of ships under a country’s flag. Port State Control at the Banjul Port is carried out within the framework of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central Africa (Abuja MOU). This allows for the six (6) months window of inspection in which ships that have been inspected within the past six months in the Abuja MOU region will not be subject to inspection by the Administration unless there is reasonable and compelling grounds for such.
Clear grounds for a more detailed inspection includes:

1. A report by a master, crew member or any person or organization with legitimate interest in the safe operation of the ship, ship living conditions or prevention of pollution;
2. If the ship has been involved in a collision on its way to port;
3. The oil record book has not been properly kept;
4. The ship has been accused of an alleged violation of the provisions on discharge of harmful substances or effluents;
5. Inaccuracies detected during examination of the certificates;
6. Indications that the crew do not fulfill the minimum level of training of seafarers;
7. Evidence of cargo and other operations not being conducted safely or in accordance with IMO guidelines; and
8. Failure of the master to provide record of the oil monitoring and discharge and the ballast control system.

Port State Control ensures sub-standard vessels are eliminated which helps in preventing pollution and safeguarding safety in Gambia waters. The Merchant Shipping Port State Control Regulations 2014, implement the Abuja MOU with respect to ships using ports in West and Central Africa.