Port State Control (PSC) inspections often uncover surprising items onboard ships. Discover the top 12 items confiscated during port state inspections, why they matter for maritime safety, and what seafarers can learn from these real-world cases.
Every year, thousands of ships call at ports worldwide, carrying everything from bulk commodities and containers to passengers and fuel. To ensure these vessels meet international safety, security, and environmental standards, Port State Control (PSC) officers conduct detailed inspections under regimes like the Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, or the US Coast Guard Port State Control program.
These inspections can feel like a mix of a surprise exam and a customs check. They’re not only about checking certificates or machinery—they often reveal prohibited or unsafe items that should never have been on board in the first place. Some of these confiscations are predictable, like expired safety equipment, while others are startling—ranging from concealed weapons to banned chemicals.
This article explores the Top 12 items confiscated during port state inspections, why they matter for compliance, and what lessons they hold for shipowners, crew, and the wider maritime industry.
Why Port State Inspections Matter
Port State Control is one of the cornerstones of maritime safety and compliance. Unlike Flag State inspections, which are conducted by the ship’s registry country, PSC ensures foreign vessels calling at a port meet international conventions like SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC 2006, and the STCW Convention.
Confiscation of unsafe or illegal items is not just about paperwork—it’s about protecting human life, marine ecosystems, and international security. According to the Paris MoU Annual Report (2023), around 16% of ships inspected had deficiencies, and nearly 3.8% were detained due to serious non-conformities. Many of these involved items that were unsafe, illegal, or outright dangerous.
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The Top 12 Items Confiscated During Port State Inspections
1. Expired or Tampered Firefighting Equipment
Fire extinguishers with expired certification dates, dry powder bottles refilled with incorrect chemicals, or hoses weakened by salt corrosion are among the most commonly confiscated items. PSC inspectors frequently remove or seal such equipment, as they directly compromise SOLAS Chapter II-2 fire safety requirements.
A MAIB (UK) case study in 2021 showed how a vessel’s faulty CO₂ firefighting system nearly caused fatalities during a drill. The system had not been serviced properly for years.
2. Illegal Weapons and Ammunition
Although vessels are sometimes permitted to carry security personnel in high-risk piracy zones, PSC inspections in safer ports often confiscate unauthorised firearms, knives, or ammunition. Some crew members mistakenly carry personal weapons from their home countries, unaware they breach ISPS Code and local port regulations.
In 2022, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) inspectors reported several cases where improvised stabbing weapons were confiscated from crew cabins, raising concerns about onboard conflicts and safety.
3. Expired Medicines and Banned Substances
Ships must maintain a Medical Chest under MLC 2006 and WHO standards. Yet, expired drugs—sometimes years past their shelf life—are commonly found during PSC inspections. More alarming are confiscations of controlled substances like morphine, carried without proper records.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has repeatedly highlighted risks of counterfeit medicines supplied to ships in developing countries. Such items are immediately removed to protect crew welfare.
4. Improperly Stored Hazardous Chemicals
From cleaning solvents to paint thinners, ships use a wide range of chemicals. PSC officers often confiscate unlabelled, leaking, or improperly stored hazardous materials, as they violate both MARPOL Annex III and IMDG Code rules.
For example, Lloyd’s Register PSC reports (2021–22) noted repeated cases of corrosive liquids stored in soft drink bottles—a recipe for disaster if mistaken for water.
5. Stolen or Counterfeit Spare Parts
It may sound surprising, but inspectors often find counterfeit machinery spares onboard—bearings, gaskets, or even filters. Not only do they breach intellectual property laws, but they also endanger machinery reliability.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) estimates that counterfeit parts contribute to 12% of ship machinery failures worldwide. PSC inspections confiscate such spares when authenticity cannot be proven.
6. Non-Compliant Ballast Water Treatment Chemicals
Since the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention (2017) came into force, ships must use approved ballast treatment systems. PSC inspections sometimes reveal unapproved chemicals or falsified ballast water records.
In 2020, the US Coast Guard fined a bulk carrier operator nearly $1.5 million for using unauthorized chemicals in ballast tanks. The chemicals were seized, and the vessel was detained.
7. Smuggled Alcohol and Tobacco
While not directly a safety hazard, confiscations of excess alcohol and tobacco are common. Crew members sometimes attempt to smuggle cartons of cigarettes or bottles of spirits onboard to sell later. This breaches customs regulations and, in some cases, violates company drug and alcohol policies critical under ISM Code safety culture.
In the Port of Rotterdam, customs officers in 2021 seized over 15,000 contraband cigarette packs from multiple vessels.
8. Outdated or Forged Certificates and Documents
A ship’s certificates are as important as its physical equipment. PSC inspections frequently confiscate or invalidate forged, altered, or expired certificates—ranging from Safety Management Certificates to Seafarer Training endorsements.
In 2022, Paris MoU reports listed “forged STCW certificates” among top detainable deficiencies. In one case, several crew had identical fake training endorsements purchased online.
9. Unsafe Electrical Equipment
Improvised electrical devices, such as homemade extension cords, unapproved heaters, or rewired plugs, are commonly confiscated. These items are fire hazards in steel ship environments.
A tragic incident reported by the Nautical Institute’s MARS database (2020) involved a fatal fire caused by a crew member’s homemade water heater. PSC officers now actively confiscate such devices when found.
10. Fishing Gear in Non-Fishing Vessels
PSC occasionally uncovers illegal fishing gear aboard bulk carriers, tankers, or container ships. While some crew bring fishing lines for leisure, full sets of nets, trawling devices, or longlines are confiscated as potential tools for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
FAO and IMO joint reports (2019) emphasised that IUU fishing equipment carried on merchant ships is a red flag for smuggling or unlicensed fishing activities.
11. Banned Refrigerants and Ozone-Depleting Substances
Despite international bans under the Montreal Protocol, PSC inspections still find R-22 and other CFC-based refrigerants onboard. These substances are confiscated immediately as they breach MARPOL Annex VI environmental obligations.
A DNV survey (2022) highlighted that 8% of ships inspected in Asia still carried stocks of banned refrigerants in spare cylinders, risking fines and detention.
12. Unauthorized Communication Devices
With cyber security now a critical maritime concern, PSC officers occasionally confiscate unauthorized satellite phones, Wi-Fi routers, or USB devices onboard. These can bypass ship’s official communication systems, posing both safety and cyber risks.
In 2021, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) flagged rising concerns about cyber vulnerabilities linked to personal devices. As a result, confiscations of “rogue” communication equipment are on the rise.
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Real-World Case Studies
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US Coast Guard (2019): A tanker in New Orleans was detained after inspectors confiscated falsified Oil Record Books and discovered hidden discharge bypass piping (“magic pipe”).
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AMSA (2020): A bulk carrier was detained when expired firefighting equipment and counterfeit spare parts were seized. The ship was fined and delayed for two weeks.
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Paris MoU (2021): During a concentrated inspection campaign on STCW compliance, forged training certificates were confiscated on over 40 vessels.
These cases underline how confiscations are not isolated incidents but systemic risks linked to cost-cutting, negligence, or intentional fraud.
Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: Crew Awareness
Many confiscated items arise not from malice but ignorance. Crew members may not understand the regulatory frameworks governing substances, medicines, or devices.
Solution: Regular training based on IMO Model Courses and company-specific ISM Code safety management systems.
Challenge: Cost-Cutting by Operators
Counterfeit spares or expired safety gear often reflect budget pressures.
Solution: Stronger supply chain checks, including IACS-approved vendor lists and tighter auditing.
Challenge: International Variability
What is legal in one port may be confiscated in another due to local regulations.
Solution: Use resources like the IMO GISIS database and Equasis to stay updated on PSC trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most commonly confiscated item during PSC inspections?
Expired firefighting equipment and outdated medicines top the list across most MoU regions.
Can personal items like knives or heaters be confiscated?
Yes. If deemed unsafe or unauthorised, even personal devices can be removed for safety reasons.
Do confiscations always lead to detentions?
Not always. Minor confiscations may be noted as deficiencies, but serious items (e.g., forged certificates, magic pipes) often cause detention.
Are confiscated items returned to the ship later?
Rarely. Most items are destroyed or retained by authorities, especially if they violate international conventions.
How can shipowners avoid confiscations?
By ensuring strict compliance with international conventions, training crew, and auditing onboard equipment regularly.
Conclusion
Port State Control inspections are not simply bureaucratic hurdles—they are frontline defenses protecting lives, ships, and oceans. The 12 items most often confiscated—ranging from expired fire extinguishers to counterfeit parts and banned chemicals—tell a story of where maritime safety is most vulnerable.
For seafarers and ship operators, the message is clear: compliance is not optional. Every expired extinguisher, every forged certificate, and every contraband cigarette pack represents a crack in the armor of maritime safety.
As shipping faces rising challenges—from cyber risks to environmental compliance—the vigilance of PSC will remain essential. The takeaway? Stay informed, stay compliant, and remember: what gets confiscated today could have caused tomorrow’s disaster.
References
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Paris MoU. (2023). Annual Report on Port State Control. Link
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Tokyo MoU. (2022). Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region. Link
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USCG. (2023). Port State Control Annual Report. Link
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International Maritime Organization (IMO). SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW Conventions. Link
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International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). (2022). Guidance on Counterfeit Parts. Link
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European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). (2021). Maritime Cyber Security Report. Link
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ITF Seafarers. Medical Supply Risks. Link
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FAO/IMO. (2019). IUU Fishing Reports. Link
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