IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/josatr/v10y2025i1d10.1186_s41072-025-00200-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A hybrid methodology to identify port state control issues in Asia–Pacific

Author

Listed:
  • Hristos Karahalios

    (Southampton Solent University)

Abstract

Port State Control (PSC) inspections play a crucial yet challenging role in detecting substandard ships. However, the process becomes more complicated when several states in large geographical regions agree to collaborate with the same rules. This study addresses this challenge by proposing an innovative hybrid methodology that combines content analysis of PSC appeal cases with the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) to assess regulatory inconsistencies within the Asia–Pacific region. A total of 43 PSC appeal cases from the Tokyo MoU were analysed to identify key areas of regulatory disputes. The findings indicate that SOLAS (53%) and MARPOL (26%) regulations are the most frequently contested, followed by document validity and equipment maintenance issues. Notably, in 84% of successful appeals, PSC officers were found to have applied overly strict interpretations or detained ships without conducting sufficient additional tests. Post-2015, successful appeals favouring shipowners increased to 68%, primarily due to deficiencies related to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. By applying F-AHP and expert reviews, the study prioritised the most problematic areas of disputes, assigning a combined weight of 0.728 to procedural non-compliance and PSC officers' omissions. Key examples include expired ship equipment certificates (0.159), disagreements on regulatory interpretation and allegations of hidden defects by the crew (0.145), and failure to perform detailed examinations or additional tests (0.131). To address these challenges, the paper recommends adopting digital tools for recording inspections and real-time verification of certificates. Furthermore, clear communication of PSC procedures to seafarers may reduce disputes in ship detentions. These findings offer practical insights for policymakers and port authorities to reduce unnecessary delays and improve compliance through inspection consistency.

Suggested Citation

  • Hristos Karahalios, 2025. "A hybrid methodology to identify port state control issues in Asia–Pacific," Journal of Shipping and Trade, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-20, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:josatr:v:10:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s41072-025-00200-8
    DOI: 10.1186/s41072-025-00200-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s41072-025-00200-8
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s41072-025-00200-8?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhu, Jiang-Hong & Yang, Qiang & Jiang, Jun, 2023. "Identifying crucial deficiency categories influencing ship detention: A method of combining cloud model and prospect theory," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    2. Jelena Nikcevic, 2018. "Montenegro on the Path to Paris MoU Accession: Towards Achieving a Sustainable Shipping Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Soheila Albooyeh & Farzad Yaghmaie, 2019. "Evaluation of knowledge management model in construction companies using the fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS," International Journal of Business Excellence, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 18(1), pages 64-97.
    4. Yu-Chang Hsu, 2023. "Assessment of criteria of ship classification societies," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(7), pages 980-1004, October.
    5. Christiaan Heij & Sabine Knapp, 2018. "Predictive power of inspection outcomes for future shipping accidents – an empirical appraisal with special attention for human factor aspects," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(5), pages 604-621, July.
    6. Andrew Rawson & Mario Brito, 2023. "A survey of the opportunities and challenges of supervised machine learning in maritime risk analysis," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(1), pages 108-130, January.
    7. Hristos Karahalios, 2025. "Cybersecurity threats of remote autonomous ships while approaching ports," Journal of Transportation Security, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Zhuohua Qu & Chengpeng Wan & Zaili Yang & Paul Tae-Woo Lee, 2018. "A Discourse of Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) Approaches," International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, in: Paul Tae-Woo Lee & Zaili Yang (ed.), Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Maritime Studies and Logistics, chapter 0, pages 7-29, Springer.
    9. Hristos Karahalios, 2021. "Contribution of PSC Authorities to Ship Accident Prevention," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 1-18, March.
    10. Jie Li & Floris Goerlandt & Kai Way Li, 2019. "Slip and Fall Incidents at Work: A Visual Analytics Analysis of the Research Domain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-18, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hristos Karahalios, 2021. "Contribution of PSC Authorities to Ship Accident Prevention," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Hristos Karahalios, 2020. "Appraisal of a Ship’s Cybersecurity efficiency: the case of piracy," Journal of Transportation Security, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 179-201, December.
    3. Hristos Karahalios, 2025. "Cybersecurity threats of remote autonomous ships while approaching ports," Journal of Transportation Security, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Ankur Tayal & Saurabh Agrawal & Rajan Yadav, 2024. "Implementation of industry 4.0 in construction industry: a review," International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, Springer;The Society for Reliability, Engineering Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM),India, and Division of Operation and Maintenance, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, vol. 15(9), pages 4163-4182, September.
    5. Adland, Roar & Jia, Haiying & Lode, Tønnes & Skontorp, Jørgen, 2021. "The value of meteorological data in marine risk assessment," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    6. Hong Shi & Mengmeng Cheng & Yi Feng & Chenghui Qiu & Caiyue Song & Nenglin Yuan & Chuanzhi Kang & Kaijie Yang & Jie Yuan & Yonghao Li, 2023. "Thermal Management Techniques for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Phase Change Materials: A Systematic Review and Prospective Recommendations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-23, January.
    7. Nexhat Kapidani & Sanja Bauk & Innocent E. Davidson, 2020. "Digitalization in Developing Maritime Business Environments towards Ensuring Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-17, November.
    8. Chang, Chia-Hsun & Kontovas, Christos & Yu, Qing & Yang, Zaili, 2021. "Risk assessment of the operations of maritime autonomous surface ships," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    9. Haizhen Cao & Hongxiang Ou & Weiyi Ju & Mengli Pan & Honglai Xue & Fang Zhu, 2023. "Visual Analysis of International Environmental Security Management Research (1997–2021) Based on VOSviewer and CiteSpace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-18, January.
    10. Fan, Lixian & Zhang, Meng & Yin, Jingbo & Zhang, Jinfen, 2022. "Impacts of dynamic inspection records on port state control efficiency using Bayesian network analysis," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    11. Heij, C. & Knapp, S., 2018. "Shipping Inspections, Detentions, and Accidents: An Empirical Analysis of Risk Dimensions," Econometric Institute Research Papers 2018-36, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), Econometric Institute.
    12. Knapp, S. & Franses, Ph.H.B.F. & B. Whitby (Bruce), 2020. "Measuring the effect of perceived corruption on detention and incident risk – an empirical analysis," Econometric Institute Research Papers EI 2020-07, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), Econometric Institute.
    13. Ngoc Thach Pham & Anh Duc Do & Quang Vinh Nguyen & Van Loi Ta & Thi Thanh Binh Dao & Dieu Linh Ha & Xuan Truong Hoang, 2021. "Research on Knowledge Management Models at Universities Using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, January.
    14. Ejder, Emir & Dinçer, Samet & Arslanoglu, Yasin, 2024. "Decarbonization strategies in the maritime industry: An analysis of dual-fuel engine performance and the carbon intensity indicator," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    15. Wang, Shuaian & Yan, Ran & Qu, Xiaobo, 2019. "Development of a non-parametric classifier: Effective identification, algorithm, and applications in port state control for maritime transportation," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 129-157.
    16. Vo Dang Khoa & Thanwadee Chinda, 2023. "Assessment of Construction Competitiveness through Knowledge Management Process Implementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-33, November.
    17. Lutz Kretschmann, 2020. "Leading indicators and maritime safety: predicting future risk with a machine learning approach," Journal of Shipping and Trade, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 1-22, December.
    18. Zhao, Chen & Wang, Fei & Wu, Xiaoyu, 2024. "Analysis and review on air-cooled open cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Bibliometric, environmental adaptation and prospect," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    19. Helena Ukić Boljat & Merica Slišković & Igor Jelaska & Anita Gudelj & Gorana Jelić Mrčelić, 2020. "Analysis of Pollution Related Deficiencies Identified through PSC Inspections for the Period 2014–2018," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-13, July.
    20. Floris Goerlandt & Jie Li & Genserik Reniers, 2020. "The Landscape of Risk Communication Research: A Scientometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-31, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:josatr:v:10:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s41072-025-00200-8. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.