The Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding (Tokyo MOU) and the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU) have announced a joint inspection initiative aimed at improving cargo safety and strengthening compliance with international maritime regulations.
The Cargo Securing Inspection Campaign will take place from September 1 to November 30, 2026, across ports covered by both regional port state control organizations.
The campaign will focus on how cargo units and cargo transport units are loaded, stowed, and secured aboard ships. Authorities said the initiative is designed to gather information on compliance with requirements established under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
SOLAS is one of the most important international treaties governing maritime safety. The convention establishes standards for vessel construction, equipment, operation, and cargo handling to help protect crews, ships, and cargo during voyages.
According to the two organizations, the Cargo Securing Inspection Campaign will be conducted alongside routine port state control inspections already carried out at participating ports.
Port State Control Officers will use a specially developed questionnaire created jointly by the Tokyo MOU and Paris MoU. The questionnaire will help inspectors assess whether vessels are meeting their obligations related to cargo securing procedures.
The inspection process will examine several operational areas linked to cargo safety. Inspectors will review cargo loading practices, stowage arrangements, securing systems, and compliance with applicable international regulations.
Authorities said the campaign aims to identify potential weaknesses in cargo securing practices that could create safety risks during transportation. Improperly secured cargo can shift during voyages, increasing the risk of vessel instability, cargo damage, crew injuries, and maritime accidents.
Under the campaign rules, each vessel will be subject to only one dedicated inspection within each MOU region during the three-month period. This approach is intended to ensure consistent data collection while minimizing duplication of inspections.
The Cargo Securing Inspection Campaign will also provide regulators with a clearer understanding of industry compliance levels across international shipping fleets.
If inspectors identify deficiencies during examinations, they will document the findings and determine appropriate corrective actions. The response will depend on the seriousness and nature of the deficiencies discovered.
Minor issues may result in recorded observations or corrective recommendations. More serious deficiencies could lead to enforcement measures, including vessel detention until safety concerns are resolved.
Port state control authorities routinely use detention powers when significant non-compliance creates a risk to maritime safety, environmental protection, or crew welfare.
Industry experts note that concentrated inspection campaigns play an important role in promoting international safety standards. Similar initiatives have previously focused on areas such as fire safety, emergency systems, crew training, and environmental compliance.
By targeting specific operational topics, authorities can gather detailed information and identify trends across the global shipping industry.
Following the completion of the inspection period, both organizations will review and analyze the collected data. The findings will be presented to the governing bodies of the Tokyo MOU and Paris MoU for further evaluation.
Officials said the results may also be submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), allowing the global maritime regulator to consider any broader safety implications identified through the campaign.
The Cargo Securing Inspection Campaign reflects ongoing international efforts to strengthen maritime safety and improve compliance with cargo handling standards. Shipping companies, vessel operators, and crews are expected to review cargo securing procedures carefully ahead of the inspection period.
As global trade continues to rely heavily on maritime transportation, effective cargo securing remains a critical element of safe and efficient shipping operations. The campaign’s findings could help shape future regulatory guidance and support improvements in cargo safety practices across the industry.
