In December 2025, Liaoning PSC detained 4 vessels, all flying flags of convenience, with 2 detentions in Dalian, 1 in Jinzhou, and 1 in Dandong. Let’s review these cases in this issue.

Detention 01

On December 7, Dandong PSC detained the bulk carrier CONSOLIDATOR (9368869). The vessel was built on March 23, 2007, with a gross tonnage of 32,379, flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and classed with Class NK.

The PSC issued 2 detention deficiencies for the vessel, as follows:

Detention Deficiency 1: 14811 During ballast water operation, two alarms (P001wrong valve arrangement, S004 any bypass valve BWTS) on the control panel of the ballast water treatment system remain unresolved, and the deck duty officers is unaware of the existence of these alarms (control panel arranged engine room only)

The deficiency states that during ballast water operations, two alarms (P001 and S004) appeared on the control panel. However, the officer on watch ignored these alarms and continued with the ballast water operations.

Alarm P001 indicates that a valve is in the wrong position, while S004 indicates that the ballast water system is in bypass mode.

When combined, this suggests that the vessel's Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS) was in bypass mode. Technically, for this deficiency, the PSC could also have written a separate deficiency for "Crew not familiar with the operation of the BWTS." Furthermore, if the PSC compares the entries in the Ballast Water Record Book with the historical data on the operation panel, discrepancies would inevitably be found.

This deficiency is a continuation of the 2025 CIC (Coordinated Inspection Campaign). Although the CIC has concluded, PSCOs are maintaining their inspection momentum/inertia.

Detention Deficiency 2: 11101 The port side lifeboat cannot be started.

The deficiency states that the port-side lifeboat failed to start.

It is freezing in Dandong this season, making the batteries prone to discharge. They must be fully charged in advance.

These two deficiencies from Dandong MSA are quite hardcore; they would meet the detention criteria anywhere.

Detention 01

On December 12, Jinzhou PSC detained the bulk carrier YONG XING 11 (8357409). The vessel was built on January 21, 2008, with a gross tonnage of 13,822, flying the flag of Belize and classed with Intermaritime Certification Services, S.A.

The PSC issued 5 detention deficiencies for the vessel, as follows:

Detention Deficiency 1: 08104 steering gear system audible alarm function failure on the bridge.

The deficiency states that the audible alarm on the steering gear control panel located on the bridge is faulty.

It should be noted that the steering gear alarm is an audible and visual alarm. This deficiency specifically emphasizes the "audible" aspect, indicating that the PSCO conducted a very detailed inspection.

The PSC likely identified a speaker malfunction causing the failure of the audible signal. By extension, they might also check for bulb malfunctions causing the failure of the flashing light signal.

Detention Deficiency 2: 04114 emergency generator failed to start automatically.

The deficiency states that the emergency generator failed to start.

Detention Deficiency 3: 02105 the nonslip surfaces not provided in steering gear room.

The deficiency states that the access to the steering gear room is not non‑slip treated.

Rectification is simple: just mix some sand into the paint and give it a coat

Detention Deficiency 4: 02105 severe leakage of special rudder valve in No.1 and No.2 steering gear pump units.

The deficiency states that two valves on the No. 1 and No. 2 steering gear hydraulic pumps are leaking.

Detention Deficiency 5: 07114 means of control for stopping spare lubricating oil pump of main engine gearbox found failed.

My interpretation is that the deficiency means the standby distribution box controlling the main engine gearbox lubricating oil pump is faulty.

PSC inspection teams generally work in pairs, with one focusing on the deck and the other on the engine room. In this vessel’s detention, the PSCO with an engineering background played a significant role.

Detention 03

On December 16, Dalian PSC detained the oil tanker ANITA (9203253). The vessel was built on January 10, 2000, with a gross tonnage of 157,831, flying the flag of Gambia. Its classification society is unknown.

The PSC issued 6 detention deficiencies for the vessel, as follows:

Detention Deficiency 1: 07105 A-0 class self-closing fire door of bridge in accommodation space holed(about 10MM×10MM).

The deficiency means that there is a 10‑millimeter diameter hole in an A0‑class fire door on the bridge.

Some people may think that damage to an A0‑class fire division does not constitute a detention deficiency, but this view is incorrect. Even B0‑class divisions cannot have holes.

Detention Deficiency 2: 14402 Sewage treatment plant out of order due to dosage pump malfunctioned during PSC inspection.

The deficiency means that the sewage treatment system was out of order because the dosing pump malfunctioned during the PSC inspection.

Detention Deficiency 3: 07199 The oil level gauge for D.O tank on P/S and S/S which sounding pipe terminated in engine room malfunctioned.

The deficiency means that the oil level gauges for the port and starboard diesel oil tanks, whose sounding pipes terminate in the engine room, were malfunctioning.

Detention Deficiency 4: 01340 SOC for fuel oil consumption reporting issued in year of 2023, 2022 and 2021 not available onboard.

The deficiency means that the Statements of Compliance (SOC) for fuel oil consumption reporting for the years 2021 to 2023 were not available on board.

The SOC certificate, or Statement of Compliance, is required for internationally trading ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above to certify that their fuel oil consumption reporting complies with the relevant regulations.

The first three months of each year are the period for shipping companies to submit fuel oil consumption reports. The flag State will then issue the SOC between March 31 and May 31 based on these reports, valid until May 31 of the following year. If the ship does not have this certificate on board, it may be detained during a PSC inspection.

This certificate is required under MARPOL Annex VI, Chapter IV, and is IMO’s mechanism to regulate shipowners’ energy efficiency. The main framework is SEEMP:

1. Ships of 400 gross tonnage and above must develop SEEMP Part I and be issued an IEE certificate.

2. Ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above must develop SEEMP Part II (Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Data Collection Plan) and SEEMP Part III (Ship Operational Carbon Intensity Plan), and be issued separate COC certificates by the flag State or classification society.

3. Based on the two COCs and the ship’s relevant data from the previous year, the flag State issues a one‑year valid SOC (Statement of Compliance – Fuel Oil Consumption Reporting and Operational Carbon Intensity Rating), which should include both SEEMP Part II and Part III.

Detention Deficiency 5: 11101 Access hatch of lifeboat on starboard side not keep watertight due to deformed seriously.

The deficiency means that the access hatch of the starboard lifeboat is deformed and cannot maintain watertight integrity.

Detention Deficiency 6: 18205 One riding fitter (his name is VIKAS YADAV) serviced onboard already more than 12 monthes (FROM 06-11-2024 TO 16-12-2025).

The deficiency means that the crew member VIKAS YADAV has been serving on board for more than 12 months.

This is a violation of the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC), which stipulates a maximum service period of 12 months. There is a general consensus on this, and most countries basically treat it as a ground for detention.

Detention 04

On December 25, Dalian PSC detained the general cargo vessel GOLD SPRING (9646118). The vessel was built on August 16, 2008, with a gross tonnage of 2,979, flying the flag of Sao Tome and Principe and classed with Universal Maritime Bureau Ltd. It is considered a "small, run-down ship" (or "dilapidated vessel").

The PSC issued 8 detention deficiencies, with two of them holding the Classification Society (Class) liable. The details are as follows:

Detention Deficiency 1: 07114 Isolating valves for D.O supply pipeline of No.1 and No.2 generator engines - not provided as required.

The deficiency means that the isolating valves in the fuel oil supply systems for the No. 1 and No. 2 generator engines are not provided (or missing).

Note: This deficiency holds the Classification Society liable. This is also a point that Liaoning PSC is particularly adept at inspecting. You can review the Editor's previous push: "Small Matters Are Not Small, Please Pay Attention to Detentions in Singapore: New Tactics for Isolating Valve Detentions!" It has all the information you need.

Detention Deficiency 2: 04103 Emergency lighting for launching area of survival craft on port side found out of order.

The deficiency means that the emergency lighting in the launching area of the port-side survival craft is faulty.

Detention Deficiency 3: 11126 The limit switch for life boat davit on port side malfunctioned.

The deficiency means that the limit switch for the port-side lifeboat davit is faulty.

Note: This type of deficiency has been appearing quite frequently recently.

Detention Deficiency 4: 07199 Oil level gauge for D.O tank on starboard side in engine room found out of order.

The deficiency means that the oil level gauge for the starboard-side diesel oil tank in the engine room is faulty.

Note: This is another point that Liaoning MSA is skilled at checking.

Detention Deficiency 5: 07114 Quick-closing valves for D.O service tank and D.O settling tank - not provided as required (not fitted directly on the tank).

The deficiency means that the quick-closing valves for the diesel oil service tank and settling tank are not provided as required (i.e., they are not fitted directly on the tanks).

Note: This deficiency holds the Classification Society liable.

Detention Deficiency 6: 07109 Fixed local application fire-extinguishing system found out of order.

The deficiency means that the fixed local application fire-extinguishing system is faulty.

Detention Deficiency 7: 14104 Oil filtering equipment found out of order.

The deficiency means that the oil filtering equipment (Oily Water Separator) is faulty.

Detention Deficiency 8: 14108 Recording unit of 15ppm bilge alarm arrangement for oil filtering equipment found malfunctioned.

The deficiency means that the recording unit of the 15ppm bilge alarm arrangement for the oil filtering equipment is faulty.

                                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------Reposted from PSCReady