Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Cargo Securing of Cargo Units and Cargo Transport Units
3 August 2026
Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Cargo Securing of Cargo Units and Cargo Transport Units
Applicable to: This FLEET SAFETY LETTER should be brought to the attention of ship- owners, ship managers, operators, Masters of Vanuatu- registered ships and Recognized Organizations
The Maritime Administrator of the Vanuatu International Shipping Registry hereby issues this Fleet Safety Letter, effective immediately, to draw the attention of all concerned parties to the joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on the cargo securing of cargo units and cargo transport units, announced by the Paris MoU and Tokyo MOU on Port State Control.
The campaign will be conducted from 1 September 2026 to 30 November 2026 in conjunction with routine Port State Control inspections. A ship will be subject to only one inspection under this CIC during the campaign period, per MoU.
1. Purpose and Scope of the Campaign
The purpose of the campaign is to assess compliance with the applicable SOLAS requirements concerning the loading, stowage and securing of cargo units and cargo transport units.
During the campaign, Port State Control Officers will use a specific questionnaire to verify, among other matters:
The availability of an approved Cargo Securing Manual on board; Whether the Cargo Securing Manual contains clear and ship- specific lashing instructions for all applicable stowage arrangements; The familiarity of relevant officers with container stack weights, tier weight distribution and applicable weight limitations for tank tops, hatch covers and decks; Actual compliance with the approved Cargo Securing Manual; Whether cargo plans correctly reflect the verified gross mass of containers being loaded; The availability of a Cargo Safe Access Plan, where applicable; The availability and suitability of sufficient approved portable cargo securing devices; The condition, compatibility, inspection and maintenance of fixed and portable cargo securing devices; Compliance of the cargo stow with applicable bridge visibility requirements; and The availability and implementation of procedures covering heavy- weather navigation and precautions against the loss of cargo.
Any deficiencies identified during the campaign will be recorded by the Port State Control Officer. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the deficiencies, Port State action may range from recording a deficiency and requiring rectification to detention of the vessel.
2. Mandatory Actions for Vanuatu-Flagged Vessels
All Vanuatu-registered vessels to which the applicable cargo-securing requirements apply and which may call at a port under the Paris MoU or Tokyo MOU during the campaign period shall:1. Conduct a thorough onboard assessment using the CIC questionnaire attached to this Fleet Safety Letter;2. Verify that the approved Cargo Securing Manual is available on board, remains applicable to the vessel and contains clear instructions covering all cargo stowage and securing arrangements used on board;3. Ensure that the cargo plan, container stack weights, tier weight distribution and structural weight limitations are properly verified and consistent with the Cargo Securing Manual;4. Confirm that the verified gross mass of all containers is properly reflected in the applicable cargo documentation and stowage plan;5. Inspect all fixed and portable cargo securing devices and confirm that they: - Are of an approved and compatible type; - Are sufficient in quantity; - Are suitable for the intended cargo arrangement; - Are free from excessive corrosion, deformation, cracking, wastage or other damage; and - Have been inspected and maintained in accordance with the inspection and maintenance scheme contained in the Cargo Securing Manual;6. Ensure that no unapproved, incompatible, improvised or defective cargo securing devices are used;7. Verify that relevant deck officers are fully familiar with the Cargo Securing Manual, applicable lashing arrangements, weight limitations and cargo securing calculations;8. Confirm that cargo stowage arrangements do not impair the required visibility from the navigation bridge;9. Review the vessel's Safety Management System procedures for heavy-weather navigation and the prevention of cargo loss, and ensure that such procedures are properly understood and implemented; and10. Rectify any identified deficiency or non-conformity before the vessel enters a port under the Paris MoU or Tokyo MOU jurisdiction.Appropriate familiarization and training shall be conducted for the relevant officers and crew. Such training, together with the internal inspection of cargo securing arrangements and equipment, shall be properly documented and retained on board.
3. Critical Reminder
The Maritime Administrator emphasizes that the attached CIC checklist shall be carefully reviewed and completed by the Master and responsible officers before entering ports within the Paris MoU or Tokyo MOU regions during the campaign period.
Questions marked with an asterisk are considered particularly important. A negative response to any such question may result in the vessel being considered for detention.
Shipowners, managers, operators and Masters are therefore required to exercise the utmost diligence and ensure that all documentation, cargo securing arrangements, equipment, maintenance records and crew familiarization are in full compliance with the applicable requirements.
The Paris MoU questionnaire published in connection with this campaign is appended to this Fleet Safety Letter for onboard review and preparation.
For additional information or clarification, please contact the Office of the Maritime Administrator at technical@register- vu.com.
Berke Ayazli
Executive Vice President
Vanuatu International Shipping Registry
The Republic of Vanuatu