LIST OF INSTRUMENTS RELEVANT TO PORT STATE CONTROL PROCEDURES
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| AFS | ||||
| MEPC.356(78) | 2022 Guidelines for brief sampling of anti-fouling systems on ships | III | Revokes MEPC.104(49) | 10 June 2022 |
| Ballast water | ||||
| MEPC.173(58) | Guidelines for ballast water sampling (G2) | MEPC/PPR | To be read in conjunction with MEPC.252(67) and BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev. 1 | 10 October 2008 |
| MEPC.252(67) | Guidelines for port State control under the BWM Convention | MEPC/III | To be read in conjunction with MEPC.173(58) and BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev. 1 | 17 October 2014 |
| MEPC.279(70) | 2016 Guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8) | MEPC | 28 October 2016 | |
| MEPC.297(72) | Amendments to regulation B-3 (Implementation schedule of ballast water management for ships) | MEPC | 13 April 2018 | |
| BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2 | Guidance on ballast water sampling and analysis for trial use in accordance with the BWM Convention and Guidelines (G2) | MEPC/PPR | To be read in conjunction with MEPC.173(58) and MEPC.252(67) | 9 December 2020 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| Bulk | ||||
| A.797(19) | Safety of ships carrying solid bulk cargoes | CCC | 23 November 1995 | |
| A.862(20) | Code of practice for safe loading and unloading of bulk carriers | CCC | As amended by MSC.238(82) and MSC.304(87) | 27 November 1997 |
| MSC/Circ.656 | Safety of ships carrying solid bulk cargoes | CCC | 6 June 1994 | |
| MSC/Circ.1117 | Guidance for checking the structure of bulk carriers | SDC | 24 June 2004 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1464/Rev.1, Corr.1 and Corr.2 | Unified interpretations of the provisions of SOLAS chapters II-1 and XII, of the Technical provisions for means of access for inspections (resolution MSC.158(78)) and of the Performance standards for water level detectors on bulk carriers and single hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers (resolution MSC.188(79)) | SDC | As amended by MSC.1/Circ.1507 of 5 June 2015 | 24 October 2013 14 November 2013 9 June 2017 |
| Certificates | ||||
| A.1162(32) | Encouragement of Member States and all relevant stakeholders to promote actions for the prevention and suppression of fraudulent registration and fraudulent registries and other fraudulent acts in the maritime sector | LEG | 28 January 2022 | |
| MSC/Circ.606 | Port State concurrence with SOLAS exemptions | III | 12 February 1993 | |
| MSC/Circ.1012 MEPC/Circ.384 | Endorsement of certificates with the date of completion of the survey on which they are based | III | 26 June 2001 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| FAL.2/Circ.133- MEPC.1/Circ.902- MSC.1/Circ.1646- LEG.2/Circ.4 | List of certificates and documents required to be carried on board ships, 2022 | III | Supersedes FAL.2/Circ.131- MEPC.1/Circ.873- MSC.1/Circ.1586- LEG.2/Circ.3 | 27 June 2022 |
| MSC-MEPC.4/Circ.1 | Retention of original records/documents on board ships | III | 26 September 2005 | |
| MSC-MEPC.5/Circ.6 | Guidance on the timing of replacement of existing certificates by the certificates issued after the entry into force of amendments to certificates in IMO instruments | III | 6 August 2009 | |
| MARPOL | ||||
| MEPC.346(78) | 2022 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) | MEPC | Revokes MEPC.282(70) | 10 June 2022 |
| MEPC.347(78) | Guidelines for the verification and company audits by the Administration of part III of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) | MEPC | 10 June 2022 | |
| MEPC.348(78) | 2022 Guidelines for Administration verification of ship fuel oil consumption data and operational carbon intensity | MEPC | Revokes MEPC.292(71) | 10 June 2022 |
| MEPC.349(78) | 2022 Guidelines for the development and management of the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database | MEPC | Revokes MEPC.293(71) | 10 June 2022 |
| MEPC.350(78) | 2022 Guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) | MEPC | Revokes MEPC.333(76) | 10 June 2022 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| MEPC.351(78) | 2022 Guidelines on survey and certification of the attained Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) | MEPC | Revokes MEPC.334(76) | 10 June 2022 |
| MEPC.352(78) | 2022 Guidelines on operational carbon intensity indicators and the calculation methods (CII Guidelines, G1) | MEPC | Revokes MEPC.336(76) | 10 June 2022 |
| MEPC.353(78) | 2022 Guidelines on the reference lines for use with operational carbon intensity indicators (CII reference lines guidelines, G2) | MEPC | Revokes MEPC.337(76) | 10 June 2022 |
| MEPC.354(78) | 2022 Guidelines on the operational carbon intensity rating of ships (CII rating guidelines, G4) | MEPC | Revokes MEPC.339(76) | 10 June 2022 |
| MEPC.355(78) | 2022 Interim Guidelines on correction factors and voyage adjustments for CII calculations (CII Guidelines, G5) | MEPC | 10 June 2022 | |
| MEPC.340(77) | 2021 Guidelines for exhaust gas cleaning systems | MEPC/PPR | Supersedes MEPC.259(68) | 26 November 2021 |
| MSC.286(86) | Recommendations for material safety data sheets (MSDS) for MARPOL Annex I oil cargo and oil fuel | PPR | 5 June 2009 | |
| MEPC.312(74) | Guidelines for the use of electronic record books under MARPOL | MEPC | 17 May 2019 | |
| MEPC.320(74) | 2019 Guidelines for consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit under MARPOL Annex VI | MEPC | 17 May 2019 | |
| MSC.465(101) | Recommended interim measures to enhance the safety of ships relating to the use of oil fuel | MSC | 14 June 2019 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| MEPC/Circ.479 and Corr.1 | Guidelines for port State control officers while checking compliance with the Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) | MEPC/III | 24 August 2005 6 October 2005 | |
| MEPC.1/Circ.508 | Bunker delivery note and fuel oil sampling | MEPC/III | 9 May 2006 | |
| MEPC.1/Circ.516 | Public access to the condition assessment scheme (CAS) database | MEPC | 5 May 2006 | |
| MEPC.1/Circ.637 | Fuel oil availability and quality | MEPC | 17 November 2008 | |
| MEPC.1/Circ.640 | Interim Guidance on the use of the Oil Record Book concerning voluntary declaration of quantities retained on board in oily bilge water holding tanks and heating of oil residue (sludge) | SSE | 4 November 2008 | |
| MEPC.1/Circ.675/Rev.1 | Discharge of cargo hold washing water in the Gulfs area, Mediterranean Sea area and wider Caribbean Region under MARPOL Annex V | MEPC | 26 March 2010 | |
| MEPC.1/Circ.834/Rev.1 | Consolidated guidance for port reception facility providers and users | MEPC | 1 March 2018 | |
| MEPC.1/Circ.864/Rev.1 | 2019 Guidelines for on board sampling for the verification of the sulphur content of the fuel oil used on board ships | MEPC | 21 May 2019 | |
| MEPC.1/Circ.881 | Guidance for port State control on contingency measures for addressing non-compliant fuel oil | MEPC | 21 May 2019 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| MEPC.1/Circ.882 | Early application of the verification procedures for a MARPOL Annex VI fuel oil sample (regulation 18.8.2 or regulation 14.8) | MEPC | 16 July 2019 | |
| MEPC.1/Circ.883/Rev.1 | Guidance on indication of ongoing compliance in the case of the failure of a single monitoring instrument, and recommended actions to take if the exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) fails to meet the provisions of the EGCS Guidelines (resolution MEPC.340(77)) | PPR | Revokes MEPC.1/Circ.883 | 15 December 2021 |
| MEPC.1/Circ.899 | 2022 Guidelines for risk and impact assessments of the discharge water from exhaust gas cleaning systems | MEPC | 10 June 2022 | |
| MSC-MEPC.4/Circ.3 | Blanking of bilge discharge piping systems in port | MSC/MEPC | 19 December 2008 | |
| PSC activities | ||||
| MSC.1/Circ.1191 | Further reminder of the obligation to notify flag States when exercising control and compliance measures | MSC/III | 30 May 2006 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1199 | Interim Guidance on compliance of ships carrying dry cargoes in bulk with requirements of SOLAS chapters II-1, III, IX, XI-1 and XII | SDC | 31 May 2006 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1221 | Validity of type approval certification for marine products | III | 11 December 2006 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1565 | Guidelines on the voluntary early implementation of amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and related mandatory instruments | III | 15 June 2017 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| MSC/Circ.1011 MEPC/Circ.383 | Measures to improve port State control procedures | III | 26 June 2001 | |
| MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.2 | IMO requirements on carriage of publications on board ships | III/NCSR | 1 June 2006 | |
| MSC-MEPC.4/Circ.2 | Code of good practice for port State control officers | III | 1 November 2007 | |
| Security | ||||
| MSC.159(78) | Interim Guidance on control and compliance measures to enhance maritime security | MSC/III | 21 May 2004 | |
| MSC/Circ.1097 | Guidance relating to the implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code | MSC | 6 June 2003 | |
| MSC/Circ.1113 | Guidance to port State control officers on the non-security related elements of the 2002 SOLAS amendment | III | Automatic identification systems (AIS) and ship’s identification number, and Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) Read in conjunction with A.959(23), adopted on 5 December 2003, Format and guidelines for the maintenance of the Continuous |
7 June 2004 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| Synopsis Record (CSR), as amended by MSC.198(80), adopted on 20 May 2005 | ||||
| MSC/Circ.1156 | Guidance on the access of public authorities, emergency response services and pilots on board ships to which SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code apply | MSC | Read in conjunction with MSC.1/Circ.1342 of 27 May 2010, Reminder in connection with shore leave and access to ships (and MSC.1/Circ.1194 of 30 May 2006) | 23 May 2005 |
| MSC.1/Circ.1235 | Guidelines on security-related training and familiarization for shipboard personnel | HTW | 21 October 2007 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1342 | Reminder in connection with shore leave and access to ships | MSC | 27 May 2010 | |
| SOLAS | ||||
| A.1047(27) | Principles of minimum safe manning | MSC/HTW | 30 November 2011 | |
| MSC/Circ.592 | Carriage of dangerous goods – Acceptance of the document of compliance | CCC | 21 April 1992 | |
| MSC/Circ.811 | Identification of float-free arrangements for liferafts | SSE | 8 July 1997 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| MSC/Circ.887 | Interpretation of the term “other strategic points” in SOLAS regulation III/50 and LSA Code section VII/7.2 | SSE | 21 December 1998 | |
| MSC/Circ.907 | Application of SOLAS regulation III/28.2 concerning helicopter landing areas on non-ro-ro passenger ships | SSE | 17 June 1999 | |
| MSC/Circ.955 | Servicing of life-saving appliances and radiocommunication equipment under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) | III | 23 June 2000 | |
| MSC/Circ.1016 | Application of SOLAS regulation III/26 concerning fast rescue boats and means of rescue systems on ro-ro passenger ships | SSE | Complemented by MSC/Circ.1094 of 17 June 2003, Application of SOLAS regulation III/26 concerning fast rescue boat systems on ro-ro passenger ships | 26 June 2001 |
| MSC/Circ.1107 | Application of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-6 on Access to and within spaces in, and forward of, the cargo area of oil tankers and bulk carriers and application of the Technical provisions for means of access for inspections | SDC | 25 May 2004 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1326 and Corr.1 | Clarification of SOLAS regulation III/19 | SSE | Note: SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.3 as referred to in the circular should be read as SOLAS regulation | 11 June 2009 13 August 2009 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| III/19.3.4.3 as the 2013 amendments to SOLAS renumbered paragraph 19.3.3.3 as 19.3.4.3 | ||||
| MSC.1/Circ.1331 | Guidelines for construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation | SSE | 11 June 2009 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1402 | Safety of pilot transfer arrangements | III | 14 June 2011 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1676 | Delays affecting the availability of new GMDSS equipment compliant with the revised performance standards set out in resolutions MSC.511(105), MSC.512(105) and MSC.513(105) | MSC | 31 May 2023 9 June 2023 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.4 | Guidance on the validity of radiocommunications equipment installed and used on ships | MSC | 31 May 2023 9 June 2023 | |
| STCW | ||||
| STCW.7/Circ.22 | Advice for port State control officers, recognized organizations and recognized security organizations clarifying training and certification requirements for ship security officers and seafarers with designated security duties | MSC/HTW | 25 February 2014 | |
| STCW.7/Circ.24/Rev.1 | Guidance for Parties, Administrations, port State control authorities, recognized organizations and other relevant parties on the requirements under the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended | III/HTW | 16 June 2017 |
| Instrument (related to) | Name | IMO body | Remark | Year (adopted/ approved) |
| MSC/Circ.635 | Tonnage measurement of certain ships relevant to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 | HTW/SDC | 15 June 1994 | |
| MSC/Circ.1089 | Guidance on recommended anti-fraud measures and forgery prevention measures for seafarers’ certificate | III/HTW | 6 June 2003 | |
| MSC.1/Circ.1208 | Promoting and verifying continued familiarization of GMDSS operators on board ships | HTW | 22 May 2006 |