Indian Ocean MOU: Regional Specificities
Preparing an IOMOU call requires identifying the competent Authority and applicable instruments, comparing particulars and reports in IOCIS, and organising documents, operating conditions and outstanding actions against port State instructions.
Operational Explanation
The Indian Ocean MOU coordinates PSC through IOCIS, which provides Authorities with ship particulars and inspections carried out at other regional ports. The regional risk profile uses the recorded parameters and history: the ship and Company check identity, Company details, reports and rectification, without automatically transferring the Paris/Tokyo profile or priority.
For the call identify the Authority, instruments in force and accepted by that State, and applicable national bases. Prepare evidence consistent with certificates, equipment condition, operations and familiarisation. A previous report with outstanding actions calls for checking deadlines, available evidence and Authority instructions, rather than only annual statistics.
The 2025 BWM CIC has ended and remains distinct from permanent compliance. In 2026 the regional calendar publishes the Cargo Securing CIC from 1 September to 30 November: check the notice, applicability and local instructions in addition to normal PSC preparation.
Regulatory Reference
The Indian Ocean MOU coordinates regional control, targeting and reporting. Do not presume identical instrument lists or ratification in every member State. For each call distinguish applicable conventions, regional procedures and national law; the 2025 BWM campaign alone does not establish 2026 priorities.
Basis of control. The MoU coordinates Administrations; PSC powers derive from conventions and port State law. IMO A.1206(34), §1.4 lists SOLAS I/19, IX/6.2, XI-1/4 and XI-2/9; MARPOL articles 5–6 and regulations I/11, II/16.9, III/9, IV/14, V/9 and VI/10; Load Lines article 21, STCW article X, TONNAGE article 12, AFS article 11 and BWM article 9. The MLC basis is separate: ILO Regulation 5.2.1 and Standard A5.2.1. In MARPOL Annex III, operational control, previously Regulation 8 in MEPC.193(61), became Regulation 9 with the new Regulation 1 introduced by MEPC.246(66), in force from 1 January 2016. For the connection between certificates, control and applicable instruments see Documentation requested by the PSCO.
Flag membership of the MoU does not determine control powers. Check instruments in force and accepted by the port State and national bases; no-more-favourable treatment also concerns ships of non-Parties. IMO A.1206(34), §§1.2–1.5.
The official IOMOU calendar announces the Cargo Securing CIC from 1 September to 30 November 2026; the current regional table confirms that it is being conducted. For preparation check the applicable notice and questionnaire, the Cargo Securing Manual required for the vessel, securing arrangements and equipment, and crew familiarisation. The existence of the campaign does not make an inapplicable requirement universal. IOMOU — CIC Reports 2026.
IOCIS is IOMOU’s regional PSC information system. Consult regional profiles and reports and identify the port Authority; do not automatically import priorities from THETIS or APCIS. IOMOU: IOCIS and regional resources.
For an appeal against detention, use the official national procedure of the port State. The IOMOU page identifies the company or its representative as entitled to appeal and requires the master to be informed of that right; it does not establish a single regional filing deadline. IOMOU — National Appeal Procedure.
Scope of Application
Ships calling at ports of Indian Ocean MOU member States, a broad geographic area spanning major commercial routes between East Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and Australia.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Identify the port Authority, applicable instruments and official contacts; check current IOMOU notices and procedures.
- Compare the ship’s particulars, profile and available regional reports in IOCIS; check previous actions and retain rectification evidence.
- Prepare documents, equipment and personnel for applicable requirements; check the 2026 CIC separately and treat 2025 BWM results as historical.
- Read the report and instructions with the master, coordinate rectification with the Company and submit requested evidence. To challenge a detention use the official national procedure specified for the port State.
Practical Example
Example: before a call check the competent Authority, regional profile, current notices and ship requirements. The Annual Report describes a past period: it does not replace a targeting notice or the current campaign questionnaire.
What Typically Goes Wrong
The official IOMOU page presents 5,958 inspections and 261 detentions for 2025, approximately 4.38%. These historical outcomes are neither the probability of inspecting an individual ship nor proof of the cause of a change in inspection activity. IOMOU — official presentation of Annual Report 2025. The BWM CIC ran from 1 September to 30 November 2025 and has ended; permanent compliance remains distinct from the 2026 Cargo Securing campaign.
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Transferring another MoU’s profiles or priorities to IOMOU | Preparation is not calibrated to the competent Authority | Check State, accepted instruments, national law and IOMOU publications |
| Using the 2025 BWM CIC as an enhanced priority in 2026 | A historical campaign is presented as current targeting | Maintain BWM compliance and separately verify any published 2026 campaign |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Check Authority, applicable instruments and regional procedure for each call.
- Consult current IOMOU publications.
- Keep permanent BWM compliance separate from the ended 2025 CIC.
Preparation checklist
- Port Authority and applicable instruments checked
- Available IOCIS particulars and reports compared with onboard records
- Outstanding actions, deadlines and rectification evidence checked
- Calendar and applicable CIC checked, with permanent BWM compliance distinguished from the completed 2025 campaign
FAQ
Related Topics
Certified substantive revision: 14 October 2026 · page fingerprint 84956f79b367