Port State Control (PSC) inspections are the global maritime industry’s primary compliance enforcement mechanism. Behind every effective PSC regime — Caribbean MOU, Riyadh MOU, Mediterranean MOU, Paris MOU — lies a critical infrastructure: the maritime information system that enables authorities to track vessels, share deficiency data, and coordinate enforcement across member states. Shared System, based in Casablanca with active maritime and port IT solutions across Africa, explains the technology.
What is Port State Control (PSC)?
PSC is a regulatory mechanism that allows national maritime authorities to inspect foreign-flagged vessels in their ports, verifying compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC 2006, and STCW. It acts as a second line of defense when flag states fail to enforce standards.
PSC is organized through regional Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs):
- Paris MoU — Europe, North Atlantic;
- Tokyo MoU — Asia-Pacific;
- Mediterranean MoU — Mediterranean Sea;
- Caribbean MoU — Caribbean region;
- Riyadh MoU — Arabian Gulf and Red Sea;
- Indian Ocean MoU — Indian Ocean region.
Each MoU shares inspection data in real-time across member states — a deficiency recorded in one port is immediately visible to PSC officers in all member ports.
The maritime information system at the heart of PSC
Effective PSC enforcement depends entirely on the quality of the underlying maritime information system. A modern maritime IS includes:
- Vessel tracking via AIS and radar integration;
- Deficiency and detention databases shared across MoU members;
- Ship Risk Profile calculation — flags high-risk vessels for priority inspection;
- Digital document management — electronic certificates, crew records, inspection reports;
- Analytics dashboards for port administrators to monitor trends and allocate resources.
VTS: the operational backbone of port safety
VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) is the real-time operational layer — who is where, at what speed, on what heading. Combined with maritime IS, it enables proactive rather than reactive port management.
Our Nouadhibou VTS project for the Port Autonome de Nouadhibou (Mauritania) illustrates this integration: we covered specification review, IALA/IMO compliance, and full system architecture.
Key challenges for African port authorities
- Legacy infrastructure incompatible with modern MoU data-sharing platforms;
- Connectivity constraints in remote coastal areas;
- Interoperability between AIS, radar, VHF, and VHF DF systems;
- IMO A.1158(32) and IALA standards compliance in all technical specifications;
- Operator training — technology is only as good as the people using it.
How Shared System supports maritime IT compliance
Based in Casablanca, Morocco, Shared System combines maritime domain expertise and IT engineering for port authorities across Africa and the Mediterranean:
- VTS and coastal surveillance feasibility studies;
- IALA/IMO-compliant technical specifications and tendering documentation;
- Maritime information systems for vessel registry and port operations;
- AIS, radar, VHF, and port system integration.
Explore our maritime and port IT solutions or contact our maritime IT team.
FAQ
What is the difference between VTS and AIS? AIS is a transponder on vessels broadcasting position and identity. VTS is the shore-based service combining AIS, radar, and radio communications to actively manage vessel traffic. AIS is a component of VTS.
Which MoU covers Morocco? Morocco’s Mediterranean coast is covered by Mediterranean MoU. The Atlantic façade aligns with IMO standards. The Strait of Gibraltar area interfaces with Paris MoU shipping traffic.