The Tokyo MoU and Paris MoU have announced that the focus of this year's joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) will be on Cargo Securing of Cargo Units and Cargo Transport Units. During the campaign, Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will use a dedicated questionnaire to assess compliance with SOLAS requirements. Any deficiencies identified will be recorded, and deficiencies related to several key items may lead to detention of the vessel.
From September 1 to November 30, 2026, Port State Control officers are expected to verify compliance with the approved Cargo Securing Manual (CSM), including its lashing instructions and crews' familiarity with cargo securing requirements, container weight distribution and deck limitations. The PSCOs will also check that the cargo plan reflects verified gross mass, and a Cargo Safe Access Plan (CSAP) is in place, that sufficient approved securing equipment is carried and properly maintained, that cargo has been effectively secured throughout the voyage to prevent losses overboard, that bridge visibility requirements are met, and that the ship's Safety Management System includes and implements procedures for heavy weather navigation and cargo loss prevention.
ABS recommends that owners and operators of vessels carrying cargo units and cargo transport units review:
- The approved Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) and associated procedures.
- Crew familiarity with cargo securing requirements, stack weight limitations, tier weight restrictions, and loading limitations for tank tops, hatch covers, and decks.
- Maintenance, inspection, and replacement records for fixed and portable lashing equipment.
- Cargo Safe Access Plans (CSAP).
- Heavy weather navigation procedures contained in the Safety Management System (SMS).
- Implementation of Verified Gross Mass (VGM) verification and cargo planning processes.
- Compliance with the inspection and maintenance scheme for cargo securing devices contained in the CSM.
A pre-defined questionnaire will guide the inspections, and each ship will undergo only one CIC inspection during the campaign. The joint press release and questionnaire may be found here.
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