
Flagged and Detained: Port State Control in Action
What happens when a ship doesn’t meet international standards? In this episode, we dive into the world of Port State Control (PSC) — the safety net that keeps substandard ships out of our waters.
We explore:
What Port State Control is, and why it exists
The role of the Tokyo MOU in the Asia-Pacific region
Common ship deficiencies and why they matter
Spirit of Tasmania detention in Singapore
Why even high-profile vessels aren’t above inspection
Through a legal and practical lens, I break down how PSC works, what happens during inspections, and what it means when a vessel is detained — from rusty tankers to ferries in the national spotlight.
If you're a shipping professional, law student, or just curious about how maritime regulation plays out in the real world — this one's for you.
Definitions:
MARPOL: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
SOLAS: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
STCW: Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
MLC: Maritime Labour Convention 2006
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Note: This podcast is not legal advice
p.s Yes, some of the pronunciations may need some work - apologies!