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Panama Flag & CHINA MSA -March 2026
Under inspections conducted by the China Maritime Safety Administration:
121 vessels totally detained in March 2026
89 vessels under Panama flag
319 deficiencies recorded on Panama vessels alone.
TOTAL DEFICIENCIES UNDER PANAMA FLAG ALONE:
Download full China PSC report for March 2026
01102 – CERTIFICATES – Cargo Ship Safety Construction
01108 – CERTIFICATES – Load Line
01125 – CERTIFICATES – IAPP Certificate
01131 – CERTIFICATES – Anti-fouling Certificate
01136 – CERTIFICATES – Ballast Water Certificate
01138 – CERTIFICATES – Energy Efficiency Certificate
02105 – STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS – Steering gear
02107 – STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS – Tanks
02108 – STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS – Electrical installations
02126 – STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS – Cargo tank vent system
02139 – STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS – Water level detectors
02199 – STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS – Other structural issues
03103 – WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS – Walkways / safe passage
03104 – WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS – Cargo hatchways
03105 – WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS – Hatch covers / tarpaulins
03107 – WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS – Doors
03108 – WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS – Ventilators, air pipes, casings
03109 – WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS – Machinery space openings
03110 – WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS – Manholes / flush scuttles
04101 – EMERGENCY SYSTEMS – Public address system
04102 – EMERGENCY SYSTEMS – Emergency fire pump
04103 – EMERGENCY SYSTEMS – Emergency lighting/batteries
04109 – EMERGENCY SYSTEMS – Fire drills
04114 – EMERGENCY SYSTEMS – Emergency generator
04118 – EMERGENCY SYSTEMS – Enclosed space rescue drills
05103 – RADIO COMMUNICATIONS – Main installation
05105 – RADIO COMMUNICATIONS – MF/HF radio
05106 – RADIO COMMUNICATIONS – Satellite communication (RMSS)
05110 – RADIO COMMUNICATIONS – MSI reception
05113 – RADIO COMMUNICATIONS – SART / AIS-SART
05118 – RADIO COMMUNICATIONS – GMDSS operation
06104 – CARGO OPERATIONS – Lashing material
06106 – CARGO OPERATIONS – Cargo transfer (tankers)
06107 – CARGO OPERATIONS – Cargo operations
07101 – FIRE SAFETY – Structural integrity
07102 – FIRE SAFETY – Inert gas system
07103 – FIRE SAFETY – Divisions (bulkheads/decks)
07105 – FIRE SAFETY – Fire doors
07106 – FIRE SAFETY – Fire detection & alarm system
07108 – FIRE SAFETY – Fire fighting equipment readiness
07109 – FIRE SAFETY – Fixed fire extinguishing system
07110 – FIRE SAFETY – Fire fighting appliances
07113 – FIRE SAFETY – Fire pumps & piping
07114 – FIRE SAFETY – Remote means of control (machinery spaces)
07115 – FIRE SAFETY – Fire dampers
07116 – FIRE SAFETY – Ventilation
07117 – FIRE SAFETY – Jacketed fuel lines & oil leakage alarm
07120 – FIRE SAFETY – Means of escape
07123 – FIRE SAFETY – Operation of fire protection systems
07126 – FIRE SAFETY – Oil accumulation in engine room
07199 – FIRE SAFETY – Other
08101 – ALARMS – General alarm
08103 – ALARMS – Fire alarm
08108 – ALARMS – UMS alarms
08109 – ALARMS – Boiler alarm
10101 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – Pilot ladder
10103 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – Radar
10109 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – Lights & signals
10110 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – Signalling lamp
10112 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – ECDIS
10114 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – VDR / S-VDR
10116 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – Nautical publications
10119 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – Rudder angle indicator
10138 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – BNWAS
10199 – SAFETY OF NAVIGATION – Other
11101 – LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES – Lifeboats
11104 – LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES – Rescue boats
11112 – LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES – Launching arrangements (survival craft)
11113 – LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES – Launching arrangements (rescue boats)
11124 – LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES – Embarkation arrangements
11126 – LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES – Recovery arrangements
12106 – DANGEROUS GOODS – Instrumentation
13101 – PROPULSION – Main engine
13102 – PROPULSION – Auxiliary engine
13104 – PROPULSION – Bilge pumping system
13105 – PROPULSION – UMS system
13108 – PROPULSION – Machinery operation
14104 – POLLUTION PREVENTION – MARPOL ANNEX I – Oil filtering equipment
14105 – POLLUTION PREVENTION – MARPOL ANNEX I – Pumping & discharge arrangements
14108 – POLLUTION PREVENTION – MARPOL ANNEX I – 15 ppm alarm
14402 – POLLUTION PREVENTION – MARPOL ANNEX IV – Sewage treatment plant
14608 – POLLUTION PREVENTION – MARPOL ANNEX VI – Incinerator
14616 – POLLUTION PREVENTION – MARPOL ANNEX VI – SOx arrangements
14699 – POLLUTION PREVENTION – MARPOL ANNEX VI – Other
14801 – BALLAST WATER – Management Plan
14811 – BALLAST WATER – Ballast Water Management System
14813 – BALLAST WATER – Plan Implementation
15102 – ISM – Company responsibility
15109 – ISM – Maintenance of ship and equipment
15150 – ISM – ISM system
18199 – LABOUR CONDITIONS – Minimum requirements (other)
18313 – LABOUR CONDITIONS – Cleanliness
18321 – LABOUR CONDITIONS – Ventilation / AC
18324 – LABOUR CONDITIONS – Cold room condition
Repetitive deficiencies in:
- Fire Safety Systems
- ISPS
- LSA
- ISM implementation
Evidence of systemic gaps, not isolated failures Increasing scrutiny on high-risk flag segments
Real Solution is Training & Preparedness
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How We Can Support You
At Mariners Update, we don’t just report problems — we help solve them.
We provide:
✔ PSC-focused onboard (sailing) & remote training
✔ China-specific inspection preparation
✔ Mock PSC audits & readiness checks
✔ Targeted guidance based on real detention of past 25 years data
Whether you want to improve compliance or prepare vessels for China PSC, we can support you.
Reach out to the Mariners Update Team for PSC training & vessel preparation support
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Capt. Philip
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