Education and Training as an Approach for Harmonization of PSC Regimes

Dr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed Mokhtar
President, AASTMT

Capt. Emad Islam
Vice President for Examinations Affairs, AASTMT

Capt. Salah A. Saleh
Head of Examination Center, AASTMT

Mokhtar

Islam

Abstract

Port State Control (PSC) as control of foreign flag vessels in the national ports, has been defined as the last safety net. When shipowners, classification societies, insurers, flag State administrators have in one way or the other failed to do their job, Port State Control comes into the scene. In an ideal world, Port State Control would not exist but unfortunately, due to inescapable realities, Port State Control must remain a standard feature in the maritime safety field. With a view to eradicating substandard ships the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization adopted resolution, to promote the establishment of such regimes in the various regions of the world following the pattern adopted by the European region through the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (MOU) in 1982. Realizing the need to assist in enhancing safety and the protection of the marine environment in other regions, IMO was involved in the promotion of similar eight Port State Control regimes. As the PSC regimes covering the World are almost completed in year 2000 within the participation of 112 countries, Co-operation and harmonization between regional PSC regimes in various regions of the world should be considered as the next target to be achieved.

Based on the fact that the most important factor affecting the improvement and standards of PSC regimes is the human resources factor, it will be most important to investigate and propose a model training course for Port State Control Officers (PSCO’s). This course should support the international and national needs and facilitate harmonized and effective implementation of such proposed course. This paper discusses the methodology dealing with the common aspects of PSC and stresses on the importance of PSCO’s education and training as an approach for harmonization of PSC regimes.