The high number of shipping accidents in recent years, resulting in considerable damage to the marine environment has brought port state control to the top of the political agenda and has prompted a huge legislative overhaul. It is therefore more important than ever for you to understand how these developments will effect your own operations. Fully up-to-date and comprehensive in scope, Port State Control covers: # The background to port state control, with details of flag state control; port state jurisdiction and the IMO # The 8 different regional agreements currently in place # The Erika incident and its aftermath, with details of the subsequent proposals put forward by the European Commission # The ISM code, classification societies and Equasis # the new ship safety database # The practical implications of port state control. # Amendments and changes to regional port state control systems # The addition of an appeal procedure to the Paris MOU # Issues related to the ports of refuge and the urgency for authorities to draw up appropriate plans for places of refuge following the recent incidents # The ISPS Code for maritime security in the light of newly recognised vulnerability against terrorist attacks # Progress with Qualship regime under US Port State Control system # Update to Equasis