The International Maritime Organization has concluded updated data-exchange agreements with the Black Sea and Caribbean Memoranda of Understanding on Port State Control, strengthening international cooperation on the sharing of ship inspection information.

The agreements were signed at IMO Headquarters in London on 21 July by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, Black Sea MoU Secretariat Secretary Onur Turhan and Caribbean MoU Secretariat Secretary General Jodi Munn Barrow.

Under the updated arrangements, the parties will expand the exchange of Port State Control inspection information and support the continued development of the PSC module within the IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System, known as GISIS.

The latest signings bring the number of regional PSC regimes with updated IMO data-exchange agreements to eight. Comparable arrangements have already been concluded with the Abuja, Indian Ocean, Tokyo, Mediterranean, Paris and Riyadh MoUs. Discussions are continuing with the Viña del Mar Agreement and the United States Coast Guard.

The agreements also represent a further step in the IMO-led development of a Port State Control Overarching Database. The planned system is intended to enable more comprehensive, harmonized and efficient sharing of inspection information among PSC regimes worldwide.

According to the IMO, a broader exchange of validated inspection data is expected to enhance transparency, consistency and data integrity. It should also reduce duplicated reporting by Member States. The database project aims to support near real-time information sharing, improve risk-based inspection planning and assist the effective implementation of IMO instruments.

Port State Control authorities inspect foreign-flagged vessels calling at ports to determine whether they comply with internationally agreed safety, security and environmental requirements. Cooperation and access to reliable inspection records can help regional regimes identify higher-risk ships and coordinate enforcement activity more effectively.

By updating its arrangements with the Black Sea and Caribbean regimes, the IMO aims to strengthen the monitoring of how Member States implement international maritime requirements while promoting greater alignment of PSC activities. The organization said the agreements would contribute to safer, more secure and environmentally sound shipping through improved oversight and more consistent use of inspection data.