FIRST JOINT MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
AND DECLARATION ON PORT STATE CONTROL

In 1998, Transport Canada hosted the First Joint Ministerial Conference on Port State Control. The purpose of this conference was to bring together ministers and delegates representing the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding on Port State Control, two international agreements of which Canada is a signatory member.

The theme of the conference was "Tightening the Net - Inter-Regional Action to Eliminate Substandard Shipping". Upon the closing of this conference, the ministers also signed a declaration with commitments to several ongoing actions, including:

• targeting ships for inspection;
• enhancing the exchange of inspection data through the use of ever-improving state-of-the-art technology (an important factor in harmonizing the Paris and Tokyo regions);
• harmonizing the training of port state control officers;
• ensuring compliance with the International Safety Management Code, which established an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for the implementation of safety management systems covering both vessel and shoreside operations; and
• promoting a wider safety culture throughout the entire maritime community by fostering a meaningful dialogue between stakeholders (associations of shipowners and ship operators, marine underwriters, shippers, charterers, classification societies, and trade unions).

The Paris and Tokyo Memoranda members have since taken signification actions, including:

• enhancing systems to target ships for inspection;
• improving inspection databases, and establishing a link between the Paris and Tokyo databases for access by port state control officers in both regions;
• developing various inspection procedures and guidelines for port state control officers;
• recruiting qualified port state control officers, followed by ongoing seminars, expert and specialized training, and exchange programs;
• participating in concentrated inspection campaigns to verify and enforce compliance with the International Safety Management Code; and
• promoting a safety culture through discussions with the International Association of Classification Societies, the International Chamber of Shipping, the International Transport Workers' Federation, the Inter-cargo Oil Companies International Marine Forum, the Chemical Distribution Institute, and other shipping stakeholders.

While port state control activities are becoming increasingly effective, the fact remains that, until there are no longer substandard ships on the seas, port state control authorities must work together cooperatively and be vigilant in carrying out their responsibilities. Transport Canada is confident that the enhancements resulting from these Joint Ministerial Conferences and declarations will lead to greater results in protecting life, property, and the marine environment.

November 2004