Concentrated Inspection Campaigns (CIC)
Thematic campaigns of reinforced inspection: how to know in advance what Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will focus on over the coming months, and prepare accordingly.
Operational Explanation
Concentrated Inspection Campaigns (CIC) are thematic campaigns, conducted jointly by several regional PSC regimes (typically Paris MoU and Tokyo MOU), which for a period of three months focus inspectors' attention on a specific area of compliance, in addition to the normal inspection. CICs are announced in advance, allowing Companies to prepare specifically on the chosen topic.
CIC 2026: the joint Paris MoU/Tokyo MOU campaign from 1 September to 30 November 2026 is dedicated to Cargo Securing: PSCOs will use a standardised questionnaire to verify compliance of the Cargo Securing Manual, the condition of lashing equipment, cargo stowage plans and the crew's competence in securing procedures, in addition to the normal checks.
Regulatory Reference
CICs are conducted under the Paris MoU and Tokyo MOU as a periodic joint programme. The 2026 campaign dates are set by the joint Paris MoU / Tokyo MOU press release of 3 August 2026: 1 September to 30 November 2026, with a single CIC inspection per ship in each of the two regions.
There are two regulations, not a chapter. The approved Cargo Securing Manual is required by SOLAS regulation VI/5.6 — cargo units, including containers, shall be loaded, stowed and secured throughout the voyage in accordance with the Cargo Securing Manual approved by the Administration — and by regulation VII/5, which extends the same duty to dangerous goods in packaged form. Saying “Chapter VI/VII” names no regulation: these two are the regulations, and they are the ones the US legislator refers back to in 33 CFR 97.100 — which however presupposes SOLAS applicability rather than defining it, and narrows its own scope to vessels of 500 gross tons or more on an international voyage as a matter of domestic law: the 500 threshold is not SOLAS's.
The general duty sits one step above, in regulation VI/5.1: cargo, cargo units and cargo transport units carried on or under deck shall be so loaded, stowed and secured as to prevent, as far as is practicable, damage or hazard to the ship and the persons on board, and loss of cargo overboard. This is the provision a PSCO applies when the deficiency is not in the Manual but in the practice.
The non-convention instruments. The CSS Code is resolution A.714(17), as amended; Annex 13 (methods to assess the efficiency of securing arrangements for non-standardised cargo) was revised by MSC.1/Circ.1352/Rev.1. Preparation of the Manual follows MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2. None of the three is a Convention: they are recommendations, binding only to the extent the approved Manual adopts them.
Scope of Application
Every ship subject to PSC inspection in the area of participating regimes during the campaign period; for 2026, with particular relevance for container, general cargo and ro-ro ships fitted with a Cargo Securing Manual.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Check the calendar and theme of the next CIC in advance through official Paris MoU/Tokyo MOU publications.
- For CIC 2026 (Cargo Securing): verify that the Cargo Securing Manual on board is the approved version and consistent with the ship's current configuration.
- Inspect the condition of lashing equipment, replacing worn or damaged components before the campaign period.
- Verify the consistency of cargo stowage plans with the procedures set out in the Cargo Securing Manual.
- Train the crew on the specific securing procedures, since practical competence will be directly checked by PSCOs.
Practical Example
Example of preparation: a container ship that, ahead of the 2026 Cargo Securing CIC, carries out a complete review of the on-board lashing equipment and practical training of the deck crew on the Cargo Securing Manual procedures, with an internal check one month before the campaign starts.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| No specific preparation ahead of an announced CIC | A more thorough inspection on the topic catches the crew unprepared | Monitor the CIC calendar and start targeted preparation several months in advance |
| Cargo Securing Manual not updated after changes to the ship's configuration | Deficiency in the 2026 campaign dedicated to Cargo Securing | Verify the manual's consistency with the current configuration before the campaign starts |
| Crew training limited to theory, without practical verification of securing procedures | Insufficient practical competence found during the CIC inspection | Always include practical, not just theoretical, training on the procedures covered by the campaign |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Note the announced CIC dates on the calendar and start targeted preparation several months in advance.
- For CIC 2026, check the status of the Cargo Securing Manual and lashing equipment now, without waiting for the campaign to start.
- Use past CICs as an indicator of which thematic areas remain a priority even after the specific campaign ends.
Preparation checklist
Educational checklist. This summary supports learning and preparation only. It does not replace the vessel’s approved procedures, manuals, statutory documents, company SMS, or applicable official requirements. Completing it demonstrates neither compliance nor readiness for an inspection: it shows that a list has been read, not that the ship is in order. Always verify the current documents carried on board.
- Calendar and theme of the next CIC checked in advance
- Cargo Securing Manual updated and consistent with the ship's configuration (CIC 2026)
- Lashing equipment inspected and in good condition
- Stowage plans verified against the Cargo Securing Manual
- Crew trained practically on the campaign's theme
FAQ
Related Topics
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