DBS Port State Control Policy and Preventive Measures

C26021 | 01 April 2026

Notice to: Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators/ Surveyors/ Auditors

This Circular is issued to inform all concerned parties of the measures taken by DBS to assist the fleet in achieving improved PSC results and avoid detentions. This Circular supersedes C24035.
DBS continuously monitors and evaluates the Port State Control (PSC) performance of the fleet and reviews PSC inspection reports to identify areas for improvement. The aim is to increase awareness in regard to PSC preparedness so as to reflect in decreased number of Deficiencies identified during a Port State Control Inspection. Reducing both the number and severity of deficiencies will in turn decrease the likelihood of detention.

1. DBS Detention Policy

DBS aims to minimize detention risk through proactive compliance and preventive measures. DBS will evaluate each detention and take measures such as:

• Additional Shipboard Audits/Inspections
• Additional Company Audits
• Additional Occasional Attendances
• Issuance of Notification/Warning Letter
• Suspension/ Withdrawal of Certification

2. DBS Outstanding Recommendations Policy

It is observed that vessels are identified with numerous deficiencies during Surveys, Audits, Occasional Attendances.
DBS would like to highlight once again that prior to any Attendance, Managers/Owners are to prepare vessel as appropriate, so that no detainable deficiencies remain outstanding upon completion of attendance.
Where Managers/Owners fail to Rectify Recommendations, the following actions will be taken:
a. Certificates will not be issued
b. Flag will be informed and on condition that a written Flag Authorization is granted, the vessel will be allowed to sail

3. PSC Preventive Measures

The Preventive Measures aim to:
a. Reduce the number of Deficiencies on board the Fleet;
b. Identify in advance of a PSC Inspection any possible deficiencies;
c. Follow up on all deficiencies/recommendations imposed from previous shipboard Inspections

3.1 Paris MoU DBS PSC Preventive Occasional Attendance

All vessels trading in Paris MoU are automatically scheduled for mandatory Occasional Attendance(s) as per below:
• Low Risk Ships (LRS): No additional Occasional Attendance
• Standard Risk Ships (SRS): At least One Additional Occasional Attendance to be scheduled 6 months from Scheduled Surveys Anniversary date (Annual/Intermediate/Renewal)
• High Risk Ships (HRS): At least Two Additional Occasional Attendance to be scheduled 4 and 8 months respectively from Scheduled Surveys Anniversary date (Annual/Intermediate/Renewal)

The Ship Profile is calculated as per the Paris MoU Calculation Method.

During attendance the DBS Surveyor:

• Conducts general examination of the Vessel using the DBS PSC Checklist that can be found here;
• Identifies possible deficiencies;
• Reviews corrective actions for deficiencies imposed from previous shipboard Inspections

No detainable deficiencies should remain outstanding upon completion of the attendance.
Failure by Managers/Owners to comply with the Occasional Attendance Scheme may result in additional measures, such as but not limited to:

• Issuance of Notification/Warning Letter
• Suspension/ Withdrawal of Certification

3.2 Vessels’ self-inspection in Tokyo MoU

Based on the Tokyo MoU tool, DBS calculates the ship’s profile to identify the next likely PSC Inspection in any Tokyo MoU Port.
DBS Head Office calculates the appropriate interval per ship and allocates dates at which an email notification to complete the self-inspection will be distributed to concerned parties.
The ship’s crew is to carry out the self-inspection before arrival at a Tokyo MoU Port, using the PSC Preventive Inspection Checklist. The checklist is to be submitted to DBS Head Office along with photos and/or videos as evidence that the inspection was performed.
If any of the items in the checklist are not in good working condition or are found not in compliance, the crew is to implement appropriate corrective action before arrival at the Port and Inform DBS Head Office.

3.3 Vessels’ self-inspection in all MoUs

Additional checklists will be circulated quarterly covering specific identified areas that DBS Head Office considers of High Importance.
The checklists are expected to be completed by ship’s crew and returned to DBS Head Office properly filled and all checklist points to be accompanied by photo/video evidence.

4. PSC Inspection Report Notification

Owners/Managers are responsible for providing DBS Head Office with the full PSC Inspection Reports when a PSC Inspection has been carried out onboard. Any detention has also to be communicated immediately to DBS Head Office to eliminate any delays.

Owners/Managers are expected to give prompt notification of Inspections, and reporting of follow-up Corrective Actions, to rectify identified deficiencies arising from a PSC Inspection. Early reporting and follow-up action give DromonClass time to evaluate Inspection Reports, design specialized campaigns, develop new tools, and provide direct assistance to the vessel to minimize the likelihood of a detention.

For further assistance, contact DBS Head Office at psc@dromon.com

DBS website

Visit our website, where you can access various circulars and publications, and get further support on many PSC-related issues and deficiencies, that may assist in preventing any detention.

Act now

Owners/Managers/Operators/Surveyors/Auditors should adhere to the above policies, measures, and actions, and comply with all DBS requirements to achieve improved performance.

Failure to comply with the above may affect the vessel’s certification status in accordance with DBS procedures