Tokyo MOU: Regional Specificities
The 2025 BWM CIC is historical; the 2026 joint Paris/Tokyo campaign concerns Cargo Securing, while BWM compliance remains permanent.
Operational Explanation
The 2025 Ballast Water Management CIC has ended and its results are historical. BWM compliance remains permanent, but an ended campaign does not itself prove enhanced targeting in 2026.
Regulatory Reference
Tokyo MOU (Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region): the same risk-based targeting principles as the Paris MoU, with its own Annual Report and a CIC calendar partly coordinated, partly distinct.
Where the power to come on board comes from. Not from the Memorandum. A regional MoU is an administrative arrangement between Administrations: it harmonises how inspections are done, it does not create the right to inspect. That right sits in the control articles of the Conventions, which resolution A.1206(34) — Procedures for Port State Control, 2025 — lists one by one at its paragraph 1.4. For SOLAS there are four regulations, not one: I/19, IX/6.2 (ISM), XI-1/4 and XI-2/9 (ISPS). For MARPOL, Articles 5 and 6 plus one provision per Annex: reg. 11 of Annex I, reg. 16.9 of II, reg. 9 of III, reg. 14 of IV, reg. 9 of V and reg. 10 of VI. The “reg. 9 of III” surprises anyone who opens Annex III in the text adopted by res. MEPC.193(61), where port State control on operational requirements is Regulation 8: res. MEPC.246(66), in force from 1 January 2016, inserted a new Regulation 1 “Definitions” into it and provided that “the subsequent regulations are renumbered accordingly”. Since 2016 that provision has been Regulation 9, and that is the number A.1206(34) carries. Then Article 21 of the Load Lines Convention 1966 as modified by the 1988 Protocol, Article X of STCW, Article 12 of TONNAGE 1969, Article 11 of AFS 2001 and Article 9 of BWM 2004. For the MLC, an ILO and not an IMO instrument, the basis is Regulation 5.2.1 with Standard A5.2.1.
Flag non-membership of the MoU does not exclude control. Conventions and port-State law include no-more-favourable treatment for ships of non-Parties: do not make PSC depend solely on flag ratification.
Tokyo profile and priority are determined in APCIS under its regional NIR. Check ship particulars, history and current performance: a joint campaign does not make the Paris and Tokyo systems identical. Tokyo MOU: New Inspection Regime.
For the ongoing CIC use the complete official questionnaire, including verified mass, weight limits, compatible devices, visibility and heavy weather. Distinguish informational questions from findings; the campaign does not create universal requirements where an instrument does not apply. Cargo Securing CIC 2026.
Scope of Application
Every ship calling at ports of Tokyo MOU member States (Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, Australia, China, South Korea, Singapore and others).
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Check the Tokyo MoU current calendar and circulars.
- Separate permanent obligation from temporary campaign.
- Use 2025 results as history, not a current targeting notice.
- Prepare for the applicable 2026 CIC from the current notice and questionnaire.
Practical Example
Example: for a Tokyo MoU inspection between 1 September and 30 November 2026, the ship checks the official Cargo Securing CIC questionnaire, applicable Cargo Securing Manual, equipment, records and crew familiarisation. The 2025 BWM CIC remains historical only.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Applying Paris MoU profiles and priorities in Tokyo MoU | Preparation is not calibrated to the competent regime | Consult current Tokyo MoU APCIS, NIR and publications |
| Preparing in 2026 as if the 2025 BWM CIC were still active | The current Cargo Securing questionnaire is neglected | Use the 2026 CIC notice and questionnaire from 1 September to 30 November; keep permanent BWM compliance separate |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Consult current Tokyo MoU publications, APCIS and NIR.
- Between 1 September and 30 November 2026 prepare against the Cargo Securing questionnaire.
- Maintain permanent BWM compliance without presenting the 2025 CIC as current priority.
Preparation checklist
- Current calendar checked
- 2025 CIC labelled historical
- BWM retained as permanent duty
- 2026 CIC checked against current source
FAQ
Related Topics
Last substantive revision of this page: 15 September 2026 · page fingerprint d48c85d6ec01