Study of the Improvement of Port State Control in Algeria

Abstract

With a length of more than 1,220 kilometres, the Algerian coastline includes 11 major ports. Each year, Algeria receives between 3,000 and 7,000 ships carrying foreign trade. To ensure that shipping is efficient and safe, Algeria exercises Port State Control (PSC), performed by Port State Control Officers (PSCOs), dispatched in stations under the administrative control of the National Coast Guard Service (NCGS). Algeria ratified the Mediterranean Memorandum of Understanding (MedMoU) in 2000, thus enacting an obligation to set up an efficient system of PSC and to achieve an objective of inspecting 15% of ships calling at its ports by the year 2003. This study will analyze the available statistics for a period of nine years (2005-2013) and results will include the findings and recommendations on improvements and enhancements to the administration of PSC in Algeria.