The memorandum of understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU) Concludes it Sixteenth Port Sate Control Committee (PSCC16) and Sixth Ministerial Conference Themed “Future-Ready Port State Control Regime”.
The 16th Port State Control Committee Meeting (PSCC16) was held in Libreville, Gabon, from 21-24 September 2026, followed by the 6th Ministerial Conference on 25 September 2026.
Ministers adopted the resolutions and recommendations of PSCC16 and approved amendments to the Abuja MoU texts. The decisions advanced risk-based inspections, regional training, stronger data systems, readiness for fishing-vessel inspection and harmonised regional inspection regime and implementation of decisions.
The Conference endorsed the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Transport / Directorate General of Merchant Marine of Gabon as the next Chairperson of the Abuja MoU Bureau and adopted the Abuja MoU 2025-2029 Action Plan.
The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for the West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU) has sucessfully concluded its 16th Port State Control Committee Meeting and 6th Ministerial Conference in Libreville, Gabon, under the theme: “Powering a Resilient and Future-Ready Port State Control Regime.”
The meetings brought together Member States, partner organisations and observers to review region’s Port State Control performance and to deliberate on key issues, including recent decisions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its sub-committees, cooperation and benchmarking with other regional PSC regimes, and progress reports from sister MoUs. Participants also agreed on practical measures to strengthen maritime safety, marine environmental protection, seafarer welfare and to advance the elimination of substandard shipping in the region.
The Ministerial Conference adopted the Committee’s recommendations and resolutions, while reaffirming the need for stronger national implementation, timely financial contributions, active participation in regional programmes and sustained investment in competent Port State Control Officers and effective inspection systems.
Major outcomes
- Risk-based and targeted inspections: The Committee approved enhancements to the Abuja MoU New Inspection Regime, including improved risk profiling using detention history, deficiency records, and performance data.
- Regional PSCO competence: Endorsed a harmonised regional training framework, a regional register of certified PSCOs, an expanded Mentor-Mentee Scheme, and a Subject Matter Expert database.
- Fishing-vessel inspections: The Committee approved a roadmap for the gradual implementation of Port State Control inspections on fishing vessels, supported by legal review and capacity building.
- Inspection campaigns: The Committee approved the 2027 CIC on Enclosed Spaces and supported regional Focused Inspection Campaigns based on emerging risks and inspection data.
- Data and digital resilience: Member States were urged to improve the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of AMIS reporting, while the Committee endorsed stronger cybersecurity, user-access controls and data-governance measures.
- Emerging maritime risks: The Committee addressed Considered measures to address alternative fuels, autonomous shipping, dark fleet activities, fraudulent ships, digital evidence, seafarer welfare and geopolitical disruption.
- Strategic capacity building: Welcomed progress under the Lloyd’s Register Foundation-supported programme and endorsed continued training, mentorship, and knowledge transfer initiatives.
- Institutional and governance reform: Ministers ratified amendments to the Memorandum, including a new Flag State performance methodology and updated governance policies.
- Action Plan and leadership: Adopted the Abuja MoU 2025-2029 Action Plan and endorsed Gabon as the next Chairperson of the Bureau.
Regional performance and awards
Abuja MoU performance and recognition awards were also presented during the meetings:
Gabon – Abuja MoU Award for the Highest Percentage of Inspection Commitment in the Last Three Years.
Cameroon – Abuja MoU Gender Equality Award, recognising progress in advancing women’s participation and gender equality in Port State Control.
Ghana – Abuja MoU Award for the Highest Percentage of Inspections with Deficiencies in the Last Three Years.
The Abuja MoU Essay Competition 2026, themed “Powering a Resilient and Future-Ready Port State Control Regime,” was also recognised as part of the organisation’s drive to promote professional knowledge-sharing and practical ideas from Port State Control Officers across the region.
The Committee also confirmed future meetings as follows:
- 17th Port State Control Committee (PSCC17) and 4th Bureau Meeting – Liberia (September 2027)
