Cargo-securing inspection campaign remains active across Paris and Tokyo MoU ports

The Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are conducting a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on the securing of cargo units and cargo transport units from 1 September through 30 November 2026. The campaign is being undertaken during normal Port State Control inspections and examines compliance with SOLAS requirements for cargo loading, stowage and securing.

UK P&I and West P&I separately report that inspectors are using a dedicated questionnaire. The reported inspection themes include the presence and adequacy of the approved Cargo Securing Manual; conformity between actual arrangements and approved procedures; crew familiarity; the availability and condition of lashing and securing gear; cargo documentation; and procedures for heavy-weather navigation. West P&I states that deficiencies in several questionnaire areas may lead to detention.

This is a current operational development rather than a newly announced measure: the consulted Club notices were published in August 2026, while the campaign remains in force on 2 November 2026. The available evidence does not establish the number of inspections, deficiencies or detentions recorded so far. Nor does it show whether individual administrations are applying additional national inspection priorities.

For cargo-claims prevention, the practical significance is wider than a PSC outcome. A post-incident dispute commonly turns on whether the vessel followed its documented securing system, whether the gear was fit and available, whether inspections and adjustments were recorded, and whether the master’s heavy-weather decisions were supported by contemporaneous evidence. The campaign’s stated focus therefore aligns closely with evidence that may become material after cargo shift, package damage, loss overboard or delay.

**Why this matters — analysis:** operators should treat the remaining campaign period as a prompt to verify, rather than merely locate, the Cargo Securing Manual and related records. A useful review would compare the vessel’s actual cargo and securing arrangement against the approved manual; confirm gear identification, condition and certificates where applicable; ensure cargo and dangerous-goods documentation is internally consistent; and preserve time-stamped records of pre-departure checks, weather assessments, lashing inspections and any corrective action. This is loss-prevention analysis, not a finding that any particular ship or operator is non-compliant.

The campaign does not replace the master’s statutory and professional judgement, nor does this briefing provide operational authorization or a survey conclusion. Where a discrepancy is found, parties should retain relevant documents, photographs, communications and samples or damaged components as appropriate, and seek timely legal, P&I and survey advice before evidence is altered or disposed of.