USCG Port State Control
A regime of its own, parallel to the Paris and Tokyo MOUs: the frequency of USCG checks depends largely on a single factor — the compliance history of the flag and the ship.
Operational Explanation
The United States is not a party to the Paris MOU or Tokyo MOU: Port State Control in US ports is conducted directly by the US Coast Guard (USCG), with its own targeting regime and its own inspection priorities, distinct (albeit with similar logic) from the regional Memoranda.
The QUALSHIP 21 programme is the USCG's quality recognition initiative for ships and flag Administrations that demonstrate a high, sustained level of compliance with international safety, security and environmental protection standards. Ships achieving QUALSHIP 21 status see a significant reduction in the frequency of checks in US ports; ships without this status instead face boarding at the majority of their US port calls.
Flag Administrations such as the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Bahamas have maintained QUALSHIP 21 status for several consecutive years (22 consecutive years and reconfirmed for the period 1° July 2026 - 30 June 2027, respectively, according to the USCG 2025 report), demonstrating how a flag's compliance history directly influences the frequency of checks on individual ships.
Regulatory Reference
USCG Port State Control regime, independent of the Paris MOU and Tokyo MOU; the QUALSHIP 21 programme recognises highly compliant flag Administrations and ships, with annual verification through the USCG Port State Control Annual Report.
Scope of Application
Every foreign ship calling at a port of the United States.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Check your flag's QUALSHIP 21 status by consulting the most recent USCG annual report.
- Maintain a clean compliance history (no detentions, no serious deficiencies) to maximise the chances of reduced boarding at US ports.
- Prepare statutory and class documentation to general PSC standards, in addition to any USCG-specific requirements (e.g. a Certificate of Compliance for ships carrying certain cargoes).
- Check for any additional USCG requirements not harmonised with the Paris/Tokyo MOU (e.g. specific local environmental rules, US port security requirements).
- Coordinate with the local agent for the arrival notification and the advance notice periods required by USCG authorities.
Practical Example
Example of management: a Company with a Marshall Islands-flagged fleet, historically QUALSHIP 21, plans its US port calls knowing it faces a significantly reduced probability of boarding compared with a ship flying a flag without this recognition, while maintaining the same baseline documentary preparation required for any PSC inspection.
Real Cases
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming that Paris/Tokyo MOU compliance is automatically sufficient for US port calls | Surprise when faced with specific USCG requirements not harmonised with the regional regimes | Always check specific USCG requirements, don't rely only on Paris/Tokyo MOU experience |
| No monitoring of your flag's QUALSHIP 21 status over time | Expectations of reduced boarding no longer valid if the flag loses the status | Check the flag's QUALSHIP 21 status annually in the most recent USCG report |
| Generic documentary preparation, without considering any USCG specifics for the type of cargo carried | Avoidable deficiency on US-specific requirements | Check the specific USCG requirements for ship type and cargo before every US port call |
PSC Observations
Operational Tips
- Check your flag's QUALSHIP 21 status annually in the most recent USCG report.
- Don't assume that Paris/Tokyo MOU compliance is automatically sufficient for US port calls: always check the specific requirements.
- Maintain a clean compliance history, as it is the factor that most influences the frequency of USCG checks.
Checklist
- Flag's QUALSHIP 21 status checked in the most recent annual report
- Statutory and class documentation ready to general PSC standards
- Specific USCG requirements for ship type/cargo checked before the port call
- Ship's compliance history actively monitored
- Advance notice periods and arrival notification coordinated with the local agent