Safety first

At Ningbo Zhoushan Port, one of the world's busiest cargo hubs in Zhejiang province, China is demonstrating its commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection through robust Port State Control.

According to Jin Tianqi, deputy director of the Security Inspection Center at the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration, the Ningbo Maritime Bureau has intensified PSC enforcement efforts, conducting approximately 400 inspections annually within its jurisdiction.

"Through scientific scheduling and random checks, a dynamic supervision mechanism focused on high-risk vessels has been established. This approach has significantly improved the overall technical condition of incoming ships and effectively reduced the risk of major maritime accidents," Jin said.

These efforts have effectively reduced maritime accidents and cultivated a market environment rewarding well-managed ships.

Digital technologies are rapidly being integrated into PSC practices. Some ports across China have begun deploying drones to inspect ship hulls and using smart terminals to collect on-site data, boosting enforcement efficiency and transparency. These innovations point to the future direction of PSC systems worldwide.