Concentrated Inspection Campaigns (CIC)
Thematic campaigns of reinforced inspection: how to know in advance what Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will focus on over the coming months, and prepare accordingly.
Operational Explanation
CICs are thematic campaigns conducted by one or more PSC regimes during the announced period, alongside routine inspection. Paris/Tokyo cooperation and a three-month duration describe the 2026 campaign, not a mandatory definition of every CIC.
CIC 2026 runs from 1 September to 30 November: Cargo Securing. Prepare against the complete official questionnaire, covering the manual and its implementation, weights, devices, bridge visibility and heavy-weather navigation. One CIC per ship in each MoU does not exclude other PSC inspections. 2026 press release and questionnaire.
Regulatory Reference
CICs are conducted under the Paris MoU and Tokyo MOU as a periodic joint programme. The 2026 campaign dates are set by the joint Paris MoU / Tokyo MOU press release of 3 August 2026: 1 September to 30 November 2026, with a single CIC inspection per ship in each of the two regions.
SOLAS VI/5 and VII/5 address stowage, securing and the approved Cargo Securing Manual within their respective scopes. Check applicability to ship and cargo, including exclusions and national requirements; do not automatically transfer the 33 CFR 97.100 threshold to the international regime.
The general duty sits one step above, in regulation VI/5.1: cargo, cargo units and cargo transport units carried on or under deck shall be so loaded, stowed and secured as to prevent, as far as is practicable, damage or hazard to the ship and the persons on board, and loss of cargo overboard. This is the provision a PSCO applies when the deficiency is not in the Manual but in the practice.
The CSS Code and circulars on CSM preparation and securing methods are IMO instruments distinct from conventions. Check flag implementation, applicable requirements and the approved Manual: incorporation in the Manual is not the only possible source of mandatory effect.
The questionnaire distinguishes information gathering from findings: Q1 concerns applicability, Q6 the Cargo Safe Access Plan and Q10a the existence of heavy-weather procedures. A negative answer to starred questions may lead to consideration for detention, not automatic detention. A positive answer does not certify securing design parameters.
Include checks on verified container gross mass in the cargo plan; stack and structural weight limits; device quantity, brand/type, compatibility and maintenance; bridge visibility; and compliance with existing heavy-weather procedures. Use NA only under the questionnaire notes and actual applicability.
Scope of Application
Every ship subject to PSC inspection in the area of participating regimes during the campaign period; for 2026, with particular relevance for container, general cargo and ro-ro ships fitted with a Cargo Securing Manual.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Check the calendar and theme of the next CIC in advance through official Paris MoU/Tokyo MOU publications.
- For CIC 2026 (Cargo Securing): verify that the Cargo Securing Manual on board is the approved version and consistent with the ship's current configuration.
- Inspect the condition of lashing equipment, replacing worn or damaged components before the campaign period.
- Verify the consistency of cargo stowage plans with the procedures set out in the Cargo Securing Manual.
- Train the crew on the specific securing procedures, since practical competence will be directly checked by PSCOs.
Practical Example
Example of preparation: a container ship that, ahead of the 2026 Cargo Securing CIC, carries out a complete review of the on-board lashing equipment and practical training of the deck crew on the Cargo Securing Manual procedures, with an internal check one month before the campaign starts.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| No specific preparation ahead of an announced CIC | A more thorough inspection on the topic catches the crew unprepared | Monitor the CIC calendar and start targeted preparation several months in advance |
| Cargo Securing Manual not updated after changes to the ship's configuration | Deficiency in the 2026 campaign dedicated to Cargo Securing | Verify the manual's consistency with the current configuration before the campaign starts |
| Crew training limited to theory, without practical verification of securing procedures | Insufficient practical competence found during the CIC inspection | Always include practical, not just theoretical, training on the procedures covered by the campaign |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Note the announced CIC dates on the calendar and start targeted preparation several months in advance.
- For CIC 2026, check the status of the Cargo Securing Manual and lashing equipment now, during the ongoing campaign, maintaining compliance after 30 November as well.
- Use past CIC results as historical data; verify current priorities and campaigns separately.
Preparation checklist
Educational checklist. This summary supports learning and preparation only. It does not replace the vessel’s approved procedures, manuals, statutory documents, company SMS, or applicable official requirements. Completing it demonstrates neither compliance nor readiness for an inspection: it shows that a list has been read, not that the ship is in order. Always verify the current documents carried on board.
- Calendar and theme of the next CIC checked in advance
- Cargo Securing Manual updated and consistent with the ship's configuration (CIC 2026)
- Lashing equipment inspected and in good condition
- Stowage plans verified against the Cargo Securing Manual
- Crew trained practically on the campaign's theme
FAQ
Related Topics
Last substantive revision of this page: 15 September 2026 · page fingerprint d8a1d35339ca