China Classification Society (CCS) successfully hosted its Port State Control Seminar 2026 in Singapore and Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, consecutively.

Singapore session

At the Port State Control Seminar held in Singapore on September 11^th, Mr. Kenny Crawford, Manager of Maritime Safety Assurance, and Mr. Josh Smith, Principal Marine Surveyor, at Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), were invited to deliver presentations. Mr. Chen Zili, General Manager of CCS Singapore Branch, attended and addressed the meeting.

[Photo/CCS]

More than 70 representatives from local shipping companies participated in the session. Mr. Kenny Crawford and Mr. Josh Smith presented on Australia’s national compliance program, emerging port state control (PSC) inspection trends and typical deficiencies, inspection requirements under the Maritime Labor Convention, planned ship maintenance, safety culture development, PSC inspection procedures, controls targeting poor-performing shipping companies, and port refusal policies.

[Photo/CCS]

AMSA noted that deficiencies related to fire safety, lifesaving appliances and safety management remain the primary causes of PSC detentions, and the inadequate safety culture is the root cause of recurring deficiencies. Quoting the adage “You will get the standard of safety that you are willing to walk past.”, the speakers urged shipping companies to engage both management and crew in fostering safety culture, embedding the principle of “stop working immediately and rectify properly upon identifying safety risks” into daily ship operations.

AMSA presented statistics on the overall performance of CCS-classed vessels subject to Australian PSC inspections. During interactive parts, participants held in-depth discussions with experts from AMSA, covering safety supervision of new-energy ships, compliance verification of crew wages, as well as requirements for planned ship maintenance.

Zhuhai session

The Zhuhai session opened on September 14^th. Mr. Kenny Crawford and Mr. Hu Ronghua, Deputy Director of the Ship Supervision Division at Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, delivered keynote presentations. Mr. Zhang Qingwen, Vice President of CCS, attended and delivered remarks.

[Photo/CCS]

Nearly 100 Chinese and international shipping representatives gathered in Zhuhai. In addition to AMSA’s presentation—the same topic in Singapore session, Mr. Hu Ronghua elaborated on the PSC inspection suspension mechanism, outlining China’s efforts to promote this mechanism globally, covering its development history, legal basis, on-site implementation standards, and practical experience. Incorporated into IMO’s Procedures for Port State Control in 2023, the mechanism shifts the regulatory paradigm from remedial action against isolated deficiencies towards systematic safety enhancement, reinforcing safety accountabilities across the full value chain including shipping companies, flag States and Recognized Organizations (ROs).

[Photo/CCS]

CCS released typical deficiency cases from Australian PSC inspections in 2026. Representatives from COSCO Shipping Oceania Ships Service Pty Ltd. shared practical experience on pre-inspection support and joint surveys for vessels bound for Australia, while experts from Shanghai Zhengdong Shipping Co., Ltd. introduced its safety culture initiatives and PSC readiness practices. Amid lively on-site vibes, delegates exchanged views with specialists from AMSA, China Maritime Safety Administration, CCS and shipping operators on hot topics including root-cause analysis of safety management deficiencies, validity of flag State exemption certificates following vessel detention and detention appeal procedures.

Over the years, CCS and AMSA have maintained close cooperation on PSC and technical exchanges for new-energy vessels. Launched in 2008, the Port State Control Seminar series marks its 16th edition this year, serving as a vital communication platform linking maritime administrations, classification societies and shipping enterprises. The twin sessions strengthened trust among stakeholders, enabled shipping operators to better grasp PSC requirements in Australia and China, and offered practical guidance to improve vessel safety management and mitigate detention risks.

CCS will continue to leverage its technical strengths and act as a bridge, working hand in hand with the maritime industry to enhance ship safety compliance and contribute to the safe, green and sustainable development of global shipping.