It has been reported through ITF about the introduction of a new port inspection regime which last year led to the banning of 20 ships
from calling anywhere in Europe, compared with only seven in 2010. 

Under the new system, ships visiting European ports are inspected by the port state control on the basis of their risk profile – previously inspectors visited 25 per cent of all vessels calling in ports. While high quality ships can be exempt from inspection for up to three years, poor quality high risk ships can be inspected every six months or so.

The worst-performing flag state was Libya, followed by Bolivia and Togo.