OVERVIEW

This analysis is based on the PSC inspection and detention data for Chinese ports in January 2026 issued by the China Maritime Safety Administration (CMSA). Through comparative analysis, key information including vessel detention status, detention causes, and high-frequency deficiency types is highlighted.

GENERAL STATISTICS

A total of 898 PSC initial inspections were carried out at various ports this month, with 71 ships detained (involving 29 flag States), representing a detention rate of 7.91%.

01 Detention by Port & Percentage

Selected Ports with Detentions, January 2026

Guangzhou: 46 initial inspections, 7 detentions, detention rate 15.22%; 38 detention deficiencies issued for 7 vessels, averaging 5.43 deficiencies per vessel; average age of detained vessels 14.29 years, including 4 container ships, 1 vehicle carrier, 1 oil/chemical tanker, 1 multi-purpose vessel.

Shanghai: 74 initial inspections, 6 detentions, detention rate 8.11%; 22 detention deficiencies issued for 6 vessels, averaging 3.67 deficiencies per vessel; average age of detained vessels 17.5 years, including 2 container ships, 1 chemical tanker, 1 oil/chemical tanker, 1 bulk carrier, 1 multi-purpose vessel.

Ningbo: 66 initial inspections, 6 detentions, detention rate 9.09%; 17 detention deficiencies issued for 6 vessels, averaging 2.83 deficiencies per vessel; average age of detained vessels 18.83 years, including 1 multi-purpose vessel, 2 container ships, 2 bulk carriers, 1 gas carrier.

Tianjin: 72 initial inspections, 3 detentions, detention rate 4.17%; 9 detention deficiencies issued for 3 vessels, averaging 3.00 deficiencies per vessel; average age of detained vessels 20.33 years, including 1 multi-purpose vessel, 2 bulk carriers.

Zhoushan: 42 initial inspections, 3 detentions, detention rate 7.14%; 8 detention deficiencies issued for 3 vessels, averaging 2.67 deficiencies per vessel; average age of detained vessels 15.33 years, including 1 heavy-lift vessel, 1 bulk carrier, 1 oil tanker.

Shenzhen: 48 initial inspections, 2 detentions, detention rate 4.17%; 7 detention deficiencies issued for 2 vessels, averaging 3.50 deficiencies per vessel; average age of detained vessels 20.5 years, including 2 container ships.

02 Flag States of Detained Vessels

03 Types of Detained Vessels

Bulk carriers, multi-purpose vessels and container ships are the main vessel types detained this month.

04 Types of Detention Deficiencies & RO Responsibility

A total of 275 detention deficiencies were issued for the 71 detained vessels, averaging 3.87 deficiencies per vessel.

Among them, 10 deficiencies were attributed to the Recognized Organization (RO), accounting for 3.64%.

Selected Detention Deficiencies, January 2026

(1) Fire Safety

Fire safety-related detention deficiencies accounted for the highest proportion, reaching 85 items, 30.91% of all detention deficiencies. Among them, 3 deficiencies were attributed to the classification society this month, accounting for 30% of all RO responsibility deficiencies. Combined with the proportion of such deficiencies and RO responsibility in previous months, this reflects many omissions and blind spots in the inspection of ship facilities and equipment related to fire safety.

(2) Pollution Prevention

There were 36 detention deficiencies related to pollution prevention, mainly involving three major systems:

oily water separators,

incinerators, and

ballast water treatment systems.

Oily water separator deficiencies accounted for 9 items. Most deficiencies of these equipment resulted from insufficient daily maintenance, improper crew operation, and poor spare parts management.

(3) Water/Weathertight Conditions

A total of 27 detention deficiencies were related to water/weathertight conditions, mainly involving hatch covers (hatchways/portable/canvas), ventilators, air pipes, covers, etc. Among them, 7 deficiencies concerned hatch covers (hatchways/portable/canvas). Such deficiencies affect the ship’s survivability and stability.

(4) Responsibility of the Recognized Organization (RO)

The 10 detention deficiencies for which the Recognized Organization was held responsible this month were relatively scattered and showed a significant decrease compared with the data of the previous month.

Source: Official WeChat Account – Chinapsc

Detention list as follows:

Reprinted from PSCReady