1. SCOPE & PURPOSE
This Newsletter aims to inform all ship-owners, operators and Masters of vessels about the Top detainable deficiencies identified by the Liberian Registry for July 2026, based on recent Port State Control (PSC) statistics, and to enhance awareness on common root causes, preventive measures, and survey focus areas.
The most frequently identified detainable deficiencies (with codes) include:
- Auxiliary engine – 13102
- Propulsion main engine – 13101
- Maintenance of the ship and equipment – 15109
- Lifeboats – 11101
- Gauges, thermometers etc. – 13103
- Fire fighting equipment and appliances – 7110
- Fire-dampers – 7115
- ISM – 15150
- Ventilators, air pipes , casing – 3108
- Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions – 7105
- Nautical Publications – 10116
- Emergency source of power - Emergency generator – 4114
- Rescue boats – 11104
- Emergency lighting, batteries and switches – 4103
- Fixed fire extinguishing installation – 7109
- Oil accumulation in engine room – 7126
- Fire pumps and its pipes – 7113
- Fire Detection – 07106
- Certificates ( Cra Not issued, RLM 258 checklist not filled, Overdue , ETC) – 01199
2. COMMON ROOT CAUSES OF PSC DETENTIONS
PSC inspections indicate that detainable deficiencies often arise from:
- Inadequate maintenance or testing of safety-critical equipment;
- Lack of effective onboard verification prior to arrival at port;
- Insufficient crew familiarization and training, particularly for emergency duties;
- Incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated documentation and records.
3. RECOMMENDATIONS TO SHIP-OWNERS AND OPERATORS
To reduce the risk of PSC detention, ship-owners and operators should be strongly encouraged to:
- Conduct pre-arrival internal checks, focusing on:
- Fire safety systems
- Life-Saving Appliances (LSA)
- ISM implementation
- Pollution prevention equipment
- Ensure all safety and emergency equipment is operational, tested, and readily available;
- Verify that crew are familiar with emergency duties and ship-specific procedures;
- Review and update statutory certificates, logs, and records prior to port entry;
- Pay particular attention to recurring PSC deficiency areas highlighted in this Circular and in PHRS PSC bulletins.
As a recognized organization, PHRS will continue to:
- Monitor PSC trends affecting ships classed and/or certified by PHRS;
- Share relevant information for awareness and preventive purposes through Technical Circulars, Newsletters, and PSC Bulletins;
- Support ship-owners and operators through technical guidance, clarification, and proactive engagement.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at psc@phrs.co.com.
1. MERCHANT MARINE NOTICE 18/2021 - SEGUMAR OFFICES CONTACT POINTS (24/7 GLOBAL COVERAGE)
Panama Maritime Authority has published Merchant Marine Notice MMN-18/2021. This Merchant Marine Notice replaces MMN-03/2021 – SEGUMAR Hong Kong Office. The purpose of this Marine Notice is to communicate to all interested parties about our 24/7 service coverage through PMA’s technical offices worldwide.
For the full text please follow the link below.
2. MERCHANT MARINE CIRCULAR 193 - OPTIONAL AND VOLUNTARY SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC BOOKS OR ELECTRONIC RECORD BOOKS ON BOARD PANAMANIAN FLAGGED VESSELS.
This Merchant Marine Circular has the purpose of informing all interested parties that this Administration has established through Resolution No.106-52-DGMM of September 9, 2024, the regulatory scheme for the approval of the voluntary use of Electronic Record Books on board Panamanian vessels, assuring in this way, that the international standards of maritime safety and pollution prevention contained within the International Conventions ratified by the Republic of Panama are complied with.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at regulatory@phrs.co.com or Panama’s email at segumar.headoffice@segumar.com
1. SCOPE
This Newsletter aims to inform all interested parties about the publication of 3 Marine Circulars (MC 161/26, MC 160/26, MC 158/26) by the St. Kitts and Nevis International Ship Registry. The purpose of these Marine Circulars is to provide clear regulatory guidance and to support the consistent implementation of applicable Flag State requirements throughout the fleet. Stakeholders are reminded that compliance with Flag Administration instructions, international conventions, and statutory reporting obligations is fundamental to maintaining the safety, security, and operational integrity of St. Kitts & Nevis flagged vessels.
2. MC 161/26 – LRIT REPORTING
This Circular consolidates and updates the Flag Administration's requirements regarding the Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT), including provisions related to LRIT compliance, Authorized Service Providers (ASPs), LRIT Conformance Test Reports (CTRs), and mandatory annual testing requirements. It is intended to facilitate the effective implementation of LRIT obligations and to ensure the continued compliance of St. Kitts & Nevis flagged vessels with applicable SOLAS requirements.
For the full text please follow the link below.
3. MC 160/26 – IMO DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM (IMO DCS)
This Circular reminds shipowners, managers, operators, and masters of their obligations concerning the monitoring, verification, reporting, and submission of fuel oil consumption data in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI and the IMO Data Collection System (IMO DCS). Compliance with these requirements is essential to meeting international environmental protection objectives and maintaining the vessel's certification status.
For the full text please follow the link below.
4. MC 158/26 – MANDATORY REPORTING OF DECEASED AND MISSING SEAFARERS
This Circular establishes the mandatory reporting requirements applicable to all incidents involving deceased or missing seafarers serving on board St. Kitts & Nevis flagged vessels. Timely reporting to the Flag Administration is critical to supporting compliance with international obligations, facilitating necessary investigations, fulfilling welfare and casualty reporting requirements, and enabling appropriate regulatory oversight.
For the full text please follow the link below.
Additionally, a new entry has been made to additional surveys: LRIT Conformance Test.
After 1 November 2026, all applicable St. Kitts and Nevis flagged vessels shall complete the new conformance test and hold only LRIT Conformance Test Reports issued in accordance with the new conformance testing standard.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at regulatory@phrs.co.com or SKAN’s email at enquiries@skanregistry.com .
NL 421/26 | LISCR – Maritime Mobile Satellite Service – Reception of MSI, Coastal Warning Areas
1. SCOPE
This Newsletter aims to inform all interested parties about the publication of Marine Advisory: 15/2026 by the Liberia Maritime Authority. The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to draw the attention to the potential issue of receiving Maritime Safety Information (MSI) within Coastal Warning Areas and highlight methods to ensure that all ships are able to receive MSI and remain compliant with SOLAS requirements.
2. BACKGROUND
Recently ships have entered Coastal Warning Areas and have not had equipment correctly configured to be able to receive MSI inside the Coastal Warning Area. Also, crew was unable to subsequently configure the equipment to correct the situation, and administrative penalties were applied by Port State Compliance Officers.
Requirements to configure RMSS Equipment for the reception of MSI inside Coastal Warning Areas
Certain types of RMSS equipment require specific configuration to be able to successfully receive MSI within Coastal Warning Areas. From discussions with the RMSS providers we are aware that:
- Certain models of Inmarsat-C require specific parameters to be entered into the configuration of the equipment to enable MSI reception inside a Coastal Warning Area.
- Iridium GMDSS equipment does not require specific configuration and all MSI is received by the equipment automatically.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Liberia’s email at RegsandStandards@liscr.com and, satelliteservices@liscr.com.
NL 420/26 | Outcome of IMO III 12 – Revision of ISM Code Implementation Guidelines and Survey Requirements
1. INTRODUCTION
The 12th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III 12) was held from 20 to 24 July 2026.
The Sub-Committee progressed several matters concerning the consistent implementation and enforcement of IMO instruments, including the implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, statutory survey and certification requirements, Port State Control activities and marine casualty investigations.
2. REVISION OF THE ISM CODE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES
III 12 initiated a comprehensive revision of the IMO guidelines concerning the implementation of the ISM Code by Administrations and companies. The review is intended to improve the clarity, consistency and effectiveness of ISM Code implementation, taking into consideration experience gained by flag Administrations, Recognized Organizations, companies and other stakeholders.
The work is expected to address both:
- the guidelines for Administrations concerning the implementation of the ISM Code; and
- the guidance provided to companies for the development, implementation and maintenance of effective Safety Management Systems.
The revision remains under development. Consequently, no immediate amendments to existing Safety Management Systems or ISM certification arrangements arise solely from the outcome of III 12.
3. SURVEY GUIDELINES UNDER THE HARMONIZED SYSTEM OF SURVEY AND CERTIFICATION
The Sub-Committee continued its work on updating the Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC). The revisions are intended to ensure that the Survey Guidelines remain aligned with amendments to the relevant IMO conventions and mandatory instruments and provide clear and consistent requirements for statutory surveys and certification. The work also includes consideration of how survey items and requirements may be more systematically identified and categorized, including matters associated with the performance and eligibility of remote surveys.
The revised Survey Guidelines will be finalized through the relevant IMO approval and adoption process before becoming applicable.
4. PORT STATE CONTROL
III 12 advanced its work on the harmonization of Port State Control activities and the continued review of the IMO Procedures for Port State Control.
The work aims to support greater consistency among regional PSC regimes and individual port States in areas such as:
- inspection practices;
- identification and assessment of deficiencies;
- application of detention criteria;
- reporting and exchange of inspection information; and
- treatment of matters requiring further investigation by the flag Administration.
Shipowners and managers should continue to ensure that vessels are maintained in full compliance with the applicable statutory requirements and that deficiencies identified through inspections, audits, surveys or internal monitoring are addressed promptly and effectively.
5. MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATIONS
The Sub-Committee reviewed casualty investigation reports and lessons learned from marine casualties and incidents.
The outcome of casualty analyses may contribute to the development of future IMO requirements, recommendations and guidance. Relevant lessons learned should also be considered by companies when reviewing:
- risk assessments;
- operational procedures;
- emergency preparedness arrangements;
- familiarization and training;
- internal audit findings; and
- the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.
6. REQUIRED ACTION
At this stage, the matters described in this Circular principally concern ongoing work within the IMO and do not introduce immediate mandatory requirements.
PHRS Regulatory Affairs Dept. will continue to monitor the progress of these matters and will provide further information once the relevant amendments, guidelines or implementation dates have been finalized.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Regulatory Department at regulatory@phrs.co.com.
1. SCOPE
This Newsletter aims to inform all interested parties about the publication of Maritime Circular – MC 156 26 by the St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry. The purpose of this Maritime Circular is to inform about the extended Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC). This phase moves beyond surface-level documentation to a rigorous assessment of operational compliance. This campaign is mandatory for all vessels undergoing Flag State Inspection (FSI) effective as of July 6th, 2026.
2. APPLICABILITY
This Maritime Circular is applicable to all shipowners, managers, operators, crew agencies crew members, masters, recognized organization and Flag State Inspectors (FSI), interacting with our fleet. It governs vessels registered under the St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry that are subject to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 compliance mandates.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or SKAN Registry office at FSI@skanregistry.com / Technical@SkanRegistry.com.
Phoenix Register of Shipping Announces New Corporate Email Domain and Functional Mailboxes Effective 20 July
Phoenix Register of Shipping Announces New Corporate Email Domain and Functional Mailboxes Effective 20 July
Phoenix Register of Shipping (PHRS) is pleased to announce that, effective 20 July, the Organization will implement its new corporate email domain, @phrs.co.com, replacing the previous @phrs.gr addresses.
This transition marks an important milestone in PHRS' continued international development. The adoption of the new domain reflects the Organization's global presence and reinforces its identity as an international Classification Society serving the worldwide maritime industry.
At the same time, PHRS is introducing a comprehensive network of dedicated functional mailboxes, designed to ensure that every enquiry is directed immediately to the appropriate department. This new communication structure will provide faster response times, improved coordination and a more efficient, customer-focused service experience.
We kindly ask all clients, Flag Administrations, business partners and stakeholders to update their records and use the new @phrs.co.com email addresses for all future correspondence from 20 July onwards, as detailed in the attached Corporate Functional Mailbox Directory.
This initiative forms part of PHRS' ongoing commitment to operational excellence, digital transformation and the continuous enhancement of the services provided to the international maritime community.
We appreciate your continued trust and cooperation and remain at your disposal for any further information.
1. SCOPE
This Newsletter aims to inform all interested parties about the publication of Maritime Circular – MC 155 26 by the St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry. The purpose of this Maritime Circular is establish a mandatory advance reporting requirement for ship to-ship (STS) operations involving the transfer of oil cargo between oil tankers flying the St. Kitts and Nevis flag.
This measure is adopted as part of the Administration’s oversight of STS activities and in support of international efforts to prevent unsafe, deceptive, illicit, or sanction-evasive maritime practices associated with the so-called “dark fleet” or “shadow fleet”.
2. APPLICABILITY
This Circular applies to oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above, registered under the St. Kitts and Nevis flag, engaged in ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations involving oil cargo, regardless of location.
This Circular does not apply to:
- Oil transfer operations associated with fixed or floating platforms, including drilling rigs, FPSOs and FSUs used for offshore production or storage of oil.
- STS operations necessary for securing the safety of a ship or saving life at sea, or for combating specific pollution incidents in order to minimize damage from pollution.
- STS operations involving warships, naval auxiliaries, or other ships owned or operated by a State and used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr.
1. SCOPE
This Newsletter aims to inform all interested parties about the publication of Marine Advisory: 16/2026 by the Liberia Maritime Authority. The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to draw the attention of shipowners, operators, Masters and crew to the importance of timely reporting of alleged inadequacies of port reception facilities (PRF) encountered during port operations.
2. BACKGROUND
As outlined in POL-006, Masters and/or shipowners/operators encountering difficulties in discharging MARPOL wastes/residues, including plastic to port reception facilities are required to report such cases to the Administration and, if possible, to the Authorities of the port State concerned.
The information received forms the basis for the Administration’s notification to the IMO and supports follow-up actions with the relevant port State.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Liberia’s Investigations Department at investigations@liscr.com.
1. SCOPE
This Newsletter aims to inform all interested parties about the publication of Marine Notice ADM-008 Rev. 06/26 by the Liberia Maritime Authority. The purpose of this Notice is to provide guidance on regulations XI-1/3 and XI-1/3-1 of SOLAS, 1978, as amended, that requires all passenger ships of 100 gross tonnage and upwards and all cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards to be provided with an identification number, and every Company and registered owner of ships to which SOLAS Chapter I applies, to be provided with an identification number which conforms to the Integrated IMO Identification Number Scheme adopted by the International Maritime Organization.
The Integrated IMO Identification Number Scheme was adopted to enhance maritime safety, security and environmental protection, and to facilitate the prevention of maritime fraud, and harmonizes the two previous schemes, i.e. the IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme and the IMO Unique Company and Registered Owner Identification Number Scheme.
For the full text please follow the link below.
For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr or Liberia’s Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Republic of Liberia, the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry.