Which agency checks compliance of ship environmental certificates during port visits?

• A. Port State Inspectors
• B. Flag State Authority
• C. Classification Society
• D. Coastal Guard

Answer: (A)

Port State Inspectors are the ones who verify in-port that ships hold valid environmental certificates and are in compliance with MARPOL. They check certificates like the International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) certificate and related surveys, along with the ship’s Garbage Management Plan and other required documentation, during port calls. If any certificate is missing, expired, or overdue for survey, they can take enforcement action, including detention, to ensure adherence to international environmental rules. The flag state authority handles registration and overall flag compliance from a broader perspective, but the on-site in-port checks during a visit are done by port state inspectors. Classification societies issue and validate class-related certificates, not the routine environmental certificate checks at port. The coast guard focuses on safety and security enforcement, not the specific routine verification of environmental certificates in port.